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New Hands-Free Driving Penalty Doubles Initial Estimate

(WSPA) – The introduction of the Hands Free and Distracted Driving Law in South Carolina hit a couple of speed bumps along its journey to implementation. 

Many drivers were taken aback upon discovering the penalty was much steeper than the initially announced $100 fine by the SC Department of Public Safety. Surprisingly, the actual cost of a ticket surpasses what one would expect for being caught speeding by 24 miles per hour. 

7NEWS Here to Help investigated to uncover the reasons behind this higher amount, the allocation of the fines, and provided drivers with crucial information to steer clear of this hefty penalty.

Once the grace period ended, the law was fully enforced starting in March 2026. Within just four months, authorities had cited approximately 11,600 motorists across the state, amassing a staggering $2.7 million in fines. 

“Wow, it’s clear they’re looking to make some money,” remarked Bobby Chappell from Greenville upon learning that the fine for a first-time violation is a whopping $232.50.

Why the cost confusion

We’ll follow the money trail shortly, but first, the reason drivers like Chappell are confused about the amount is that technically, in the law, the fine is $100, as seen on the public flyers handed out by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, but the fine is just part of it.  

Master Trooper Hannah Davidson with Highway Patrol said originally, public safety didn’t realize the offense also comes with court fees and assessments designated by separate state statutes governing the court system.  

“It was an honest mistake; we just didn’t add in the court fees to it to make it $232.50,” said Davidson.

Part of the initial confusion for public safety came from the fact that there are some moving violations that don’t have any additional fees. For one, the seatbelt law.  Another is the failure to use your turning signal.  Both are zero points off your license, just like the hands-free fine, for the first offense.

But, more serious moving violations, like the hands-free law, carry an assessment that is 107.5% of the original fee, plus an additional $25 court fee for a total of $232.50, a second offense is two points off your license and $440.

Where the money goes

SC Representative Bruce Bannister, the chair of the Ways and Means Committee at the Statehouse, said lawmakers intended the high fine to grab attention, so drivers take it seriously.

7NEWS Here to Help asked him if the state was trying to make money off the fees.

“The state is trying to offset an expense that the taxpayer would bear to have the system we have by letting the people who are using the system pay for it. So, if you are interacting with law enforcement and you’re violating the laws and you’re going to the court and using the court system, we want you to pay for it,” Bannister said.

Whether you pay online or at the courthouse, the amount is the same, according to the law, since all of it helps fund the court system as a whole.

So where does the money go?

  • $75 goes to the local municipality’s general fund, which can be used at their discretion

  • $25 goes to the Department of Public Safety Texting Fund that supports awareness of the law
  • The court gets its $25 fee
  • The rest, $107.50, is distributed at the state level to various law enforcement programs, from training to public defense, behavioral health, and juvenile justice  
  • The latest numbers from SCDPS show that of all the counties in the Upstate, Pickens and Spartanburg have seen the highest number of tickets in the first three months that the law has been in full effect, with roughly 715 issued in each county from March 1 through May 31.

    How to avoid a ticket

    Now, to avoid the costly ticket, it’s important to know the law.  In the attached video, you’ll see we took drivers on a bit of a test run, but here are the basics you may or may not know:

    • The cell phone is never allowed to be on your lap; it cannot be held by any part of the body

  • If a driver has an emergency or needs to call 911 for any reason, you can use the phone to make a report
  • Even if a driver is not watching the video, they cannot play it for passengers while it’s in view of the driver, so parents, no videos for the kids when your phone is in the console
  • If you are stopped at a red light, a driver can use the phone but only until the light turns green
  • If an officer pulls you over, they cannot request to see your phone 
  • One more thing drivers should know: the law clearly states this fine cannot be “suspended,” which may make you think twice about trying to show up in court hoping to get the fine reduced.  Bannister said that, unlike a speeding ticket, going in person for a hands-free ticket would rarely lead to any reduction, and lawmakers designed it that way.

    “If you did it then you have to pay the fine,” Bannister said.

    Champaign County Forest Preserves Eye Homer Lake Expansion: Exciting Plans Unveiled

    HOMER, Ill. – Exciting developments are on the horizon for the Champaign Forest Preserve as they set their sights on acquiring land adjacent to Homer Lake. This ambitious plan could be finalized sooner than anticipated, bringing new opportunities to the community.

    The preserve’s administrators are in the midst of negotiations to secure nearly 34 acres opposite the site’s entrance. With this addition, they aim to expand the area’s potential while upholding the principles that have always driven their mission.

    “Our focus remains on three core areas: conservation, education, and recreation,” stated Executive Director Laurie Pearson. “We plan to restore the land to its native prairie state, educate the public about the land and its wildlife, and enhance recreational opportunities by adding a new trail. Trails are a high priority for the community, and with most of our existing preserves maximizing their trail offerings, this expansion is much needed.”

    Pearson expressed optimism about the ongoing fundraising efforts, suggesting that with a little more financial support, they could seal the deal by the month’s end. For those eager to contribute to this environmental cause, further details can be found on their website or by calling 217-586-3360.

    Controversial Comment: Matthew Geroni Sparks Outrage by Targeting Trump’s Family with Cancer Wish

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    In a shocking twist to a controversial incident on the Jersey Shore boardwalk, the husband of a Canadian woman detained by ICE has attracted attention for his disturbing online rants. The woman’s spouse, Matthew Geroni, openly expressed wishes for the demise of President Trump and his family, including Trump’s young children.

    Geroni, an American citizen married to Kaitlyn E. Tracey, the Canadian national involved in the boardwalk altercation, frequently voices his disdain for conservatives through erratic videos on TikTok. His posts have gained notoriety for their inflammatory content.

    In particular, two videos released last August on his TikTok drew significant concern. Within these clips, Geroni audaciously articulated a desire for the President’s death, unsettling many viewers with his brazen declarations.

    A man with a mustache and long hair, wearing a black baseball cap and a t-shirt, holds his hands in a prayer gesture with text overlays reading "Praying The entire Trump family gets cancer And I mean everybody Like little kids and s***".

    Matthew Geroni posted a video where he prays that “entire Trump family gets cancer.” TikTok / @copsdrinkplastic40oz

    One video displays text that reads, “Praying the entire Trump family gets cancer. And I mean everybody, like little kids and s–t,” as Geroni dramatically falls to his knees and clasps his hands in mock prayer.

    In another video posted just a day later, which seemingly recycled the same footage of Geroni energetically moving around his disordered apartment, he added the chilling text, “Praying the next assassination attempt works.” These inflammatory remarks have sparked outrage, raising concerns about the impact of such rhetoric.

    Both videos play out to the soundtrack of George Michael’s “Faith.”

    The Post has reached out to Geroni — who proudly calls himself the “Jester of the Jersey Shore” and, aptly, the “Clown of Asbury Park,” where the dim-witted couple lives — but has not heard back.

    Since his wife’s arrest, the middle-aged man has taken to begging for money on TikTok to put on Tracey’s Ocean County Jail account and retain an immigration lawyer.

    Mugshot of Kaitlyn E. Tracey.

    Kaitlyn E. Tracey was detained by ICE after slapping a teenager on the Jersey Shore boardwalk for wearing pro-Trump clothing. Ocean County Corrections

    “I’m so f–king broke,” he whines in one such video.

    The pair were married about three years ago, according to Geroni’s social media.

    From Wattpad to Screen: 7 Sizzling Stories Heating Up Streaming Platforms

    At some point, many young creative minds stumble upon the vibrant world of Wattpad, a dynamic online platform where storytelling thrives. This digital space welcomes burgeoning writers to both craft and enjoy a vast array of original fiction and fanfic tales.

    For many, Wattpad serves as a creative playground, allowing young talents to express themselves through writing. While most authors write purely for the love of storytelling, over time, Wattpad has also provided select opportunities for financial rewards. However, only a few manage to break through and monetize their writing.

    Reflecting on my own experience as an early Wattpad adopter, it’s evident that most writers didn’t reap monetary gains unless their works transitioned to print. Some authors took the self-publishing route, whereas others leveraged their Wattpad success to land traditional publishing deals. Alongside platforms like Archive of Our Own and Fanfiction.net, Wattpad has become a launchpad for content that continues to captivate audiences today.

    Romantic comedies and love stories owe much to Wattpad’s nurturing environment. Noteworthy titles like After, The Kissing Booth, and The QB Bad Boy and Me not only climbed best-seller lists but also transitioned to film, reaching screens everywhere. For those who grew up entwined in these narratives and long to see them portrayed on screen, these Wattpad-originated gems offer a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

    1. Jacob Elordi and Joey King in The Kissing Booth

      Photo: Netflix

      Who could overlook the rise of Jacob Elordi as a star? This journey traces back to Beth Reekles’ The Kissing Booth, penned on Wattpad when she was just 15. The novel garnered over 19 million reads before securing a publishing deal, swiftly turning into a bestseller. Netflix took note, acquiring the film rights, and thus, a movie headlined by Elordi and Joey King was birthed. It swiftly became one of Netflix’s standout original films, spawning two sequels. The storyline follows the classic secret romance theme—Elle (Joey King) develops feelings for her best friend’s brother, Noah (Jacob Elordi), which bloom after a memorable moment at a school-run kissing booth. As the series unfolds, viewers watch the complexities of her relationships with Noah and her best friend Lee (Joel Courtney) flourish and falter.

    2. AFTER WE COLLIDED, from left: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, 2020

      Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection

      Oh, Wattpad, the home of many fanfictions about a certain British pop star. When author Anna Todd original posted After on Wattpad in 2013 — which now has over a billion reads — fans probably didn’t expect for it to become a box office hit. The fanfic was picked up for publishing and resulted in a five book series. In 2019 the first After movie was released and we got to see Tessa Young (Josephine Langford) and Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) in theaters for the first time. The series follows the two’s toxic, turbulent relationship that will have you on the edge of your seats. Did we mention their relationship started out as a bet from Hardin’s frat brother Zed (Samuel Larson)?

    3. MY FAULT LONDON PRIME VIDEO REVIEW

      Photo: ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

      The My Fault (Culpa Mía) series was originally published in Spanish on Wattpad in 2015. Two years later author Merceds Ron secured a book deal and published the series with the English translation being released later in 2023. The trilogy is a fiery enemies-to-lovers story between main characters Noah and Nick. The series has two adaptations. Culpa Mía, the original Spanish adaptation starring Nicole Wallace and Gabriel Guevara, and a recent English adaptation My Fault: London, that stars Asha Banks and Matthew Broome. Both adaptations were massively popular when released on Prime Video, and the third movie, Our Fault: London, is on it’s way.

    4. My Life with the Walter Boys

      Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX

      If you did not know the hit Netflix original series, My Life with the Walter Boys was a Wattpad staple, you’re missing out. Written by Ali Novak in 2010, the book was officially published in print in 2014. The two book series follows teenager Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez), who is forced to move from Manhattan to rural Colorado with her mother’s best friend and her twelve kids. Of course there is a love triangle between Jackie, Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry), and Cole Walter (Noah LaLonde). The third season of the series is set to release in August, but if you want to find out who Jackie ends up with read the print book or find the original sample still on Wattpad.

    5. A woman with dark curly hair and wide eyes looks through a chain-link fence, with her fingers gripping the top.

      Perfect Addiction by Claudia Tan was a massive hit on Wattpad. The Perfect series is a two-time Watty award winner, which — if you don’t know what that is — is Wattpad’s premiere writing competition that has launched many writers into the spotlight. Claudia Tan’s MMA romance has everything a good YA needs. When professional MMA trainer Sienna Lane (Kiana Madeira) find out her champion boyfriend Jax (Matthew Noszka) is cheating on her with her sister, she is out for revenge. She decides to find Jax’s arch-nemesis and underground fighter, Kayden (Ross Butler), and offers to train him in exchange for a place to stay. Of course the forced proximity trope does its job and the two fall into a steamy romance. The original series is still available on Wattpad, as well as the updated version.

    6. A young woman rests her head on a young man's shoulder as they slow dance in a dimly lit room.

      Sidelined: The QB and Me is probably the most Wattpad story to ever be put on screen. For starters, the original title is The QB Bad Boy and Me, and if you know anything about Wattpad, every story had to have a bad boy character. Before it was a Tubi original, Tay Marley had a hit original work with over 30 million reads. Now, the movie series was the number 5 most watched original films during it’s debut. The story follows Dallas (Siena Agudong) a dancer who dreams of escaping her small town and moving to California and her whirlwind romance with star quarterback Drayton (Noah Beck). The film has a sequel with a third, and final, movie on the way, but are people ready to say goodbye to Dallas and Drayton?

    7. A man and woman smiling at each other in a pool, the man in a suit jacket, and the woman with her hair pulled back.

      If someone said years ago that Disney stars Paris Berelc and Asher Angel would eventually star in a steamy Wattpad original series, it would have been hard to believe them. Kissing Is the Easy Part has some of the classic teen fiction tropes like “opposites attract” and “fake dating.” The original series was published on Wattpad in 2015, and Wattpad published the print edition in 2025. The series follows popular girl Flora Morgan (Paris Berelc) who’s parents are worried about their aspirations in life. After learning she adopts the interest of whoever she’s dating, they hire star-student Sean Foster (Asher Angel) to fake date their daughter so she will want to take the SATs. In exchange, they will write him a glorious recommendation for MIT.

      Whether you’re reading or watching romance, Wattpad’s influence is everywhere.

    8. King Felipe VI Celebrates Spain’s Thrilling Victory in Semi-Finals

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      The Spanish Royal Family was visibly elated, celebrating enthusiastically as Spain secured its place in the World Cup final after a suspenseful showdown with France last night.

      King Felipe VI, 58, shared a heartfelt embrace with Queen Letizia and their daughters, Leonor, 20, and Sofía, 19, after Spain’s 2-0 triumph over a formidable French team on Tuesday.

      They congratulated the team on Instagram, writing: ‘You have proved again why you are one of the great teams in the world.

      “Now, with an entire nation backing you, it’s time to pursue the title. Thank you for this incredible journey. Go for it!”

      Dressed in customized Spanish jerseys, the family was captured on film watching the match on a large TV screen from a cozy, small white sofa.

      While their celebration was subdued in the comfort of their home, the streets of Madrid came alive last night as ecstatic fans rejoiced over Spain’s advance to the World Cup final.

      The Spanish Royal Family jumped up and down and clapped in celebration as their country got through to the World Cup final in last night's terse match-up against France

      The Spanish Royal Family jumped up and down and clapped in celebration as their country got through to the World Cup final in last night’s terse match-up against France

      King Felipe VI, 58, hugged his wife Letizia and daughters Leonor, 20, and Sofía, 19, as the nation basked in a 2-0 victory

      King Felipe VI, 58, hugged his wife Letizia and daughters Leonor, 20, and Sofía, 19, as the nation basked in a 2-0 victory

      Felipe’s enthusiastic display of support comes just hours after members of the Spanish Royal Family divided football fans as they were seen wearing ‘French colours’ ahead of the clash with France at the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards in Barcelona.

      The annual ceremony, which seeks to celebrate the lives of talented young people across Spain, saw the Royal Family meet with those committed to public service and youth leadership.

      However, several eagle-eyed onlookers couldn’t help but notice the colour scheme of the royal women’s outfits – as all three stepped out in outfits that appeared to directly match with the red, white and blue of the French flag.

      While Queen Letizia opted for a dark blue suit, Princess Leonor looked stylish in a bold red look. Meanwhile, Infanta Sofia, who recently completed three years of military studies, stepped out in an elegant wraparound white suit.

      Taking to X in response to their outfits, one royal fan wrote: ‘Letizia, Leonor and Sofia dressed in the colours of the French flag. I don’t know if that was the best choice today.’

      The family was decked out in personalised shirts as they were filmed watching the game on a wide-screen TV, seated on a small white sofa

      The family was decked out in personalised shirts as they were filmed watching the game on a wide-screen TV, seated on a small white sofa

      The Spanish family's celebrations were a quiet affair compared to last night's festivities in the country, as fans flooded Madrid's streets to celebrate the World Cup final spot

      The Spanish family’s celebrations were a quiet affair compared to last night’s festivities in the country, as fans flooded Madrid’s streets to celebrate the World Cup final spot

      Meanwhile, another added: ‘I think it’s been a bad coincidence. There’s no subliminal message. But for these things they have entire teams (among them, a stylist). It’s a blunder.’

      ‘Oops! Someone in the Spanish royal house didn’t remind them about the World Cup?? French flag colours for the Spanish royal women,’ quipped another.

      However, several came to the Spanish royals’ defence and suggested that the lighting of the photograph may have made their outfits look more distinct than they necessarily were, while others noted that the match was ‘still several hours away’.

      ‘It’s because today is the anniversary of the French Revolution and the Bourbons are of French origin,’ suggested another.

      During the game, Spain’s star player Lamine Yamal wore a headband with the number 08304.

      It’s the postcode for the working-class suburb of the Catalonian district which he calls home.

      He was standing there with his teammates hearing the anthems played, looking for all the world as if he had just wandered in from that neighbourhood.

      But he set his nation on their way to the World Cup final on Tuesday night, winning the penalty to secure a lead from which they never looked back.

      Spain dominated the midfield and choked off the supply line to France’s stellar forward line, which struggled to find a way past the Spanish defence.

      It was a complete performance, and sent a strong message to England and Argentina that whoever reaches the final will have their work cut out.

      Taylor Swift Fans Outraged Over ‘Insane’ Film Rental Fees: Is It Worth the Price?

      Fans of Taylor Swift have found themselves disgruntled after the latest release of the extended version of her Eras Tour film hit screens on Wednesday—available for streaming for only a brief 48-hour period, and even then, at what many consider an exorbitant price.

      This special release coincided with Swift celebrating her 34th birthday, with Prime Video treating audiences across the UK, the US, and Canada to “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Extended Version)” as part of the festivities.

      This concert film pays tribute to Swift’s 10 studio albums, each representing a different chapter in her illustrious career. The singer-songwriter herself describes this project as a nostalgic journey through her various musical ‘eras’.

      The extended version of the concert showcases three additional performances that were not part of the theater screenings—featuring “Wildest Dreams,” “The Archer,” and “Long Live.”

      Despite the excitement surrounding these new additions, fans face limitations—the film can only be rented for a couple of days, and it comes with a hefty price tag of £15.99 in the UK and $19.89 in the US and Canada.

      Taylor Swift fans have been left fuming after the extended version of her Eras Tour film was released on Wednesday, but can only be rented for just 48 hours for an extortionate fee

      Taylor Swift fans have been left fuming after the extended version of her Eras Tour film was released on Wednesday, but can only be rented for just 48 hours for an extortionate fee

      The singer celebrated her 34th birthday on Wednesday and to mark the occasion, Prime Video released Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Extended Version) in the UK, the US and Canada

      The singer celebrated her 34th birthday on Wednesday and to mark the occasion, Prime Video released Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Extended Version) in the UK, the US and Canada

      Taylor’s fans have criticised the songwriter for the ‘mental’ price and for only letting people rent the film instead of allowing them to buy it to keep or stream as part of their subscription.

      Many lamented that they couldn’t ‘justify’ the fee or afford it, with one saying it would force them to ‘choose between eating for two days and watching a movie’.

      Angry fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam the decision and complain that they had already spent huge amounts of money on her ‘crazy prices’ to support her.

      One person wrote: ‘happy birthday taylor swift or whatever but girl im not giving u $20 for 48 hours of the movie im sorry GIVE US THE OPTION TO BUY’.

      Another echoed: ‘I’m sorry but almost $20 to RENT the film is way too much. I would be wanting to buy it for that price. @taylorswift13 you can’t keep raising the prices so it’s nice numbers for you because it’s not worth it for some of us’.

      A third added: ‘I throw money at Taylor Swift stuff so often but even I cannot justify $19.89 to rent the Eras Tour movie lol if it was to buy, I would already own it.’

      While someone else tweeted: ‘As much as I love Taylor Swift making a movie £15.99 just to rent it is f***ing mental. We are in a cost of living crisis babe.’

      A fifth wrote: ‘I love Taylor Swift but $19.89 to rent a movie at home is insane. She could’ve made it $13 if she wanted to be cute with the price. Time to p*rate it.’

      However, the movie is only available to rent and just for 48 hours, with it costing £15.99 in the UK and $19.89 in America and Canada

      However, the movie is only available to rent and just for 48 hours, with it costing £15.99 in the UK and $19.89 in America and Canada

      Taylor's fans have criticised the songwriter for the 'mental' price and for only letting people rent the film instead of allowing them to buy it to keep or stream as part of their subscription

      Taylor’s fans have criticised the songwriter for the ‘mental’ price and for only letting people rent the film instead of allowing them to buy it to keep or stream as part of their subscription 

      Many lamented that they couldn't 'justify' the fee or afford it, with one saying it would force them to 'choose between eating and watching a movie' (Brazil fans pictured last month)

      Many lamented that they couldn’t ‘justify’ the fee or afford it, with one saying it would force them to ‘choose between eating and watching a movie’ (Brazil fans pictured last month)

      And a sixth agreed, saying: ‘Bro I like Taylor swift but you could never catch me spending 20 f***ing dollars to RENT A GODDAMN MOVIE JESUS CHRIST.’

      Another disappointed fan said: ‘I’ve paid over £400 to go and see Taylor Swift and stop over night, a further £40 cinema ticket and merch. I love Her and Her music but when will the crazy prices stop? £16 to rent a movie once is ridiculous, that’s making me choose between eating for 2 days and watching a movie.’

      While an eighth fumed: ‘taylor swift has lost her mind if she thinks i’m going to pay $20 to rent a movie for 48 hours like actually what planet do you live on’.

      A ninth bemoaned: ‘I wish that I could rent it for Taylor Swift’s birthday today, but I can’t do that due to budget restraints’.

      And another said: ‘£16 to RENTTTTTT that taylor swift movie is insaneeeeeee’ while one former fan declared: ‘oh $19.89 to RENT and not own… i am DONE with taylor swift’.

      It comes after it was estimated that the Eras Tour movie has grossed $250 million worldwide while the tour itself pushed Taylor’s own net worth to $1.1billion in October, according to Forbes.

      The film was history making – it generated $26 million in pre-sale tickets alone and broke the single-day ticket sales records in a mere three hours. 

      The movie has even been nominated for a Golden Globe in a brand new category – the award for Cinematic and Box-Office Achievement.

      It will face competition from a slew of other impressive films: Barbie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, John Wick: Chapter 4, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1, Oppenheimer, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and The Super Mario Bros. 

      Angry fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam the decision and complain that they had already spent huge amounts of money on her 'crazy prices' to support her

      Angry fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam the decision and complain that they had already spent huge amounts of money on her ‘crazy prices’ to support her

      It comes after it was estimated that the Eras Tour movie has grossed $250 million worldwide while the tour itself pushed Taylor's own net worth to $1.1billion in October, according to Forbes

      It comes after it was estimated that the Eras Tour movie has grossed $250 million worldwide while the tour itself pushed Taylor’s own net worth to $1.1billion in October, according to Forbes

      The movie has even been nominated for a Golden Globe in a brand new category - the award for Cinematic and Box-Office Achievement

      The movie has even been nominated for a Golden Globe in a brand new category – the award for Cinematic and Box-Office Achievement

      Wildfires Threaten Air Quality: Smoke Envelops Midwest & Northeast

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      NEW YORK — Vast clouds of heavy smoke, originating from a series of extensive wildfires in both Canada and Minnesota, are predicted to blanket large regions of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week. This atmospheric disturbance is expected to subject millions to harmful levels of air pollution.

      Minnesota authorities have announced an air quality alert effective from Tuesday through Friday. This warning covers key areas including the Twin Cities metropolitan region, Alexandria, and Two Harbors. The state’s northeastern region, grappling with widespread wildfires, is anticipated to experience intense smoke. Alarmingly, air quality in places like Two Harbors and the Tribal Nation of Grand Portage is projected to reach hazardous levels, posing risks to all residents.

      Dan Westervelt, an associate professor at Columbia University’s Climate School, explained that a combination of severe drought conditions and high temperatures in both Canada and the U.S. has created an ideal setting for these massive wildfires. He noted, “a perfect storm for really dry conditions to provide a lot of fuel for these wildfires to burn.” Studies have shown that rising temperatures linked to the burning of coal, oil, and gas are resulting in fires that are both more frequent and intense.

      Tyler Hasenstein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota, emphasized the importance of staying indoors as much as possible. He advised people to minimize exposure to the extreme heat and smoke as the latter sweeps through the area.

      “Those two things coinciding with each other is not good from a health perspective,” he commented, highlighting the compounded health risks brought on by the soaring temperatures and dense smoke.

      Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin warned residents Tuesday about air quality issues that could last for days. High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and people with heart or lung conditions.

      In parts of Maine, residents were reporting a yellowish and brownish color in the sky. “There is plenty of smoke upstream, so expect periods of hazy skies over the next day before the cold front pushes through,” the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, said on social media Tuesday.

      By Wednesday afternoon, intense smoke will spread into the East Coast and Midwest, including parts of the New England coast, northern Pennsylvania, Detroit and Milwaukee, Hasenstein said.

      Multiple counties in western and central New York were under an air quality advisory Wednesday until midnight. The most intense smoke could spread as far south as Washington, D.C., by midday Thursday, Hasenstein said.

      Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues. Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing a N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner. Long term, exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke is one of the leading causes of premature death.

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

      Latin Music Explodes in US: Streaming Soars to New Heights

      NEW YORK – As we reach the midpoint of 2026, a review of the landscape for music, film, and TV streaming has highlighted some intriguing patterns, as detailed in Luminate’s 2026 Midyear Report released on Wednesday.

      Remarkably, the volume of music streaming has soared to unprecedented levels worldwide, marking a historic peak in the United States and beyond.

      When it comes to favorite genres, R&B/hip-hop continues to reign across U.S. audiences. However, the domination of this genre faces new challenges as music tastes broaden, leading to a diversification in the listener base.

      Latin and country music are experiencing a remarkable surge, propelled by influential artists like Bad Bunny and Ella Langley. Meanwhile, the rise of AI-generated tracks is adding a novel twist to the industry.

      On the film and TV front, Netflix maintains its commanding lead in the U.S., especially noted for its streamable original content that continues to captivate audiences.

      In its midyear report, Luminate, an industry data and analytics company, provides insight into changing behaviors across music listenership as well as TV and film viewing behaviors.

      Music streaming continues to climb

      Music streams continued to grow globally and stateside. Global on-demand audio streams reached 2.8 trillion in the first half of 2026 — up from 2.5 trillion during the same period last year, and 2.29 trillion in 2024.

      And in the U.S., on-demand audio song streams grew to 732.7 billion. That’s up from 696.6 billion in 2025 and 665.8 billion in 2024.

      R&B and hip-hop still rules, but competition nears

      A combination of R&B/hip-hop is still the most popular streaming genre in the U.S., accounting for nearly 1 in 4 on-demand audio streams. However, its dominance is being challenged. In the first half of 2026, R&B/hip-hop made up 30% of U.S. album-equivalent consumption, based on analysis of the Billboard 200. Compare that to 41% in 2023, and it shows a decline.

      “R&B/Hip-Hop remains a massive commercial force, but its historic dominance is leveling off as the streaming landscape diversifies. The genre was an early adopter of streaming, commanding nearly 30% of U.S. audio consumption by 2022, but the post-pandemic era has seen accelerated … growth from genres like Country and Latin,” wrote Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vice president of music insights and industry relations in a statement to The Associated Press.

      He says R&B/hip-hop’s “standalone audio volume has dipped 1.7% so far in 2026 compared to last year. We aren’t seeing a collapse in popularity, but rather a shift toward a more balanced, multi-genre ecosystem where R&B/Hip-Hop’s profound creative influence is also seen in other styles.”

      Any concerns about R&B/hip-hop’s continued supremacy may be shortsighted. In the first half of 2026, the genres accounted for nearly 180.3 billion streams in the U.S., followed by rock with 137.2 billion, pop with 87.8 billion, country with 63.8 billion and Latin with 63 billion.

      Latin and country are drawing more listeners

      Latin music continues to grow in popularity in the U.S. That’s evidenced in a few different ways: First, Luminate found that nearly 1 in 10 streams in the U.S. was in Spanish for the first half 2026 — 9.4% of total streams.

      Secondly, English-language consumption fell to a new low of 87.1% — still the overwhelming majority but evidence of a diverse listening market.

      “Casual U.S. listenership of Latin music has hit an all-time high, with 54% — or more than one in two music listeners — now reporting that they engage with the genre,” said Marconette. “Latin music’s cultural footprint is rapidly widening far beyond its traditional core base into the broader American mainstream.”

      And globally, Latin music streams reached a new high — accounting for 363.2 billion streams in the first half of 2026, compared to 335.3 billion the previous year.

      Albums may be a good place to see the growth of both Latin and country in the U.S. The top albums of the year, so far, are Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” with 2.035 million album equivalent units, Ella Langley’s “Dandelion” with 1.638 million and Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” with 1.543 million. (Both Wallen and Bad Bunny’s albums released early last year.)

      Marconette points to Langley as a prime example of country music’s growing audience — she’s at the forefront of an increasing group of “younger, streaming-forward” fans.

      A small number of AI-generated tracks are spiking

      And more may very well be on the way. Chill77, Unjaps and Mikeeysmind’s “Papaoutai (Afro Soul)” had 210.7 million streams in all countries except the U.S. in the first half of 2026. In the U.S., it accounted for 17.6 million streams.

      That’s followed by The Second Voice’s “Let Me Be,” which earned 75.6 million streams in all countries expect the U.S.; stateside, it earned 10.1 million streams.

      The most-streamed AI-generated song in the U.S. is country act Breaking Rust’s “Livin’ on Borrowed Time,” which accounted for 19 million streams. In all countries except the U.S., it earned 13.4 million streams.

      Previously, Breaking Rust had a song called “Walk My Walk” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s country digital song sales chart in November 2025. The vocal phrasing, melodic shape and stylistic DNA came from the Grammy-nominated country artist Blanco Brown, an artist who has worked with Britney Spears, Childish Gambino and Rihanna.

      Breaking Rust is an example of the kind of generative AI that has begun upending the music industry, often using models trained on real artists’ voices and styles without their knowledge.

      “A small number of breakout tracks at the head of the curve can drive temporary conversational and streaming spikes,” says Marconette. “At this stage, generative tools are actively transforming creative and production workflows, but individual AI-generated tracks have yet to make a profound, long-term impact on consumption behavior.”

      Netflix dominates in original film and TV streaming

      In the U.S., Netflix accounted for 57% of all original content viewing time, followed by Prime Video (11%), Hulu and Paramount (7% each), Peacock and Apple (5% each), HBO Max (4%) and Disney+ (2%), with 13.6 billion hours streamed in total. Original TV series are most popular, accounting for 11.5 billion hours of that total. Original movies make up the difference, accounting for 2.8 billion hours.

      The most streamed original films of 2026 in the U.S., so far, are all courtesy of Netflix: “The Crash” with 39.6 million estimated views, “The Rip” with 39.5 million and “Apex” with 37.3 million.

      When it comes to original series in the U.S., there’s a bit more competition. HBO Max’s “The Pitt” leads with 19.4 billion streams, followed by two Netflix titles: “The Lincoln Lawyer” with 16.9 billion and “Bridgerton” with 14 billion.

      Overwhelmingly, however, people in the U.S. are streaming library content (older, preexisting and licensed shows and movies) over original programming. Original TV accounted for 11.5 billion hours streamed in the first half of 2026, and original film raked in 2.1 billion. But library TV totaled 42.2 billion hours, and library film had 10.8 billion, according to Luminate.

      Luminate estimates there are nearly 19,000 library titles available on major streaming services compared to just 7,000 originals.

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

      Elderly Woman Forced to Sleep in Tent; Caregiver Arrested

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      Karie Lynn Lightfoot (Marion County Jail).

      In a concerning case emerging from Florida, a caretaker tasked with looking after an 81-year-old woman suffering from dementia allegedly abandoned her duties. The elderly woman, instead of receiving proper care at home, was reportedly compelled to endure sleeping outside in a tent, as her caregiver left the state.

      Authorities have charged 53-year-old Karie Lynn Lightfoot with elder neglect. According to a report from ABC affiliate WFTV and NBC affiliate WESH, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene at an Ocala residence on June 3. This action followed the Department of Children and Families’ discovery of the elderly woman living outside.

      The victim, who battles dementia as well as mobility issues, reported that Lightfoot had relegated her to the tent situated outside her dwelling. Deprived of adequate food and water, the tent was positioned too far for her to reach the house, leaving her stranded. It was furnished with a mattress and a few basic appliances, but lacked other essential amenities.

      The affidavit further reveals that Lightfoot provided the elderly woman with adult diapers but expected her to change herself. Tragically, this arrangement persisted for about a week before authorities intervened.

      The victim’s son, who was out of the country for work, reportedly told cops that Lightfoot had been caring for his mother for about two years, but then decided she no longer wanted to do so.

      Lightfoot allegedly moved to Texas and forced the victim to stay inside the tent, never bothering to find someone else to care for her.

      The victim subsequently suffered a fall. Cops took her to the hospital for treatment.

      She is expected to move to a nursing home upon discharge from the hospital, the affidavit reportedly said.

      Cops arrested Lightfoot on Saturday and took her to the Marion County Jail, where she has since posted a $2,000 bond. Her next court date was not listed.

      Lawmaker Claims Constitution Shields Her 100 MPH Speeding

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      In another legal twist, a Democratic legislator from New Hampshire is challenging speeding charges. Alleged to have driven in excess of 100 mph in one instance and at 92 mph in another, she claims a historical clause in the state constitution shields her from being stopped when commuting to or from legislative sessions. Court documents accessed by News Media detail her argument.

      State Representative Ellen Read asserts that her detainment by the police was unlawful. She believes the New Hampshire Constitution offers lawmakers protection against being “arrested, or held to bail” when participating in or traveling to and from the General Court. Her defense argues that the charges are the result of an unconstitutional traffic stop and should be dismissed.

      Her first alleged violation took place in December 2024, when authorities accused her of driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph on Interstate 93 in Windham. The second incident was reported in June 2025, with claims of her driving 92 mph in a 65 mph zone in Londonderry.

      New Hampshire state Rep. Ellen Read speaks during a political demonstration in 2015. Read is fighting two speeding cases by arguing a provision of the New Hampshire Constitution protected her from arrest while traveling to or from legislative session.

      New Hampshire State Representative Ellen Read, depicted here at a political demonstration in 2015, is attempting to have two speeding allegations dismissed. She maintains that the state Constitution provides protective clauses that guard her from arrest while on legislative business. (Getty Images)

      In both cases, Read argued she was driving a vehicle displaying a New Hampshire state representative license plate and told officers she was returning from a legislative session.

      “At the time of the stop, Ms. Read was a sitting member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives,” her petition states. “She was traveling in a vehicle bearing a New Hampshire State Representative license plate. Upon being stopped, Ms. Read informed the deputy that she was returning from the General Court.”

      In response to questions from News Media, Read said she is not arguing the Constitution shields lawmakers from prosecution, but instead protects them from being stopped while traveling to or from legislative duties.

      “The plain reading of the Constitution says that legislators cannot be stopped on their way to or from their duties,” Read said. “It says nothing of being ticketed or arrested at the end of the commute, and nothing about prosecution.”

      “Under the plain language of the New Hampshire Constitution, defendant was unlawfully detained/seized/arrested in violation of her Legislative privilege,” one motion states. “All evidence illegally obtained should be suppressed, and the charge dismissed.”

      At the center of Read’s defense is a 1784 provision of the New Hampshire Constitution that states, “No member of the House of Representatives, or Senate shall be arrested, or held to bail, on mesne process, during his going to, returning from, or attendance upon, the Court.”

      Read said the provision was intended to prevent local officials from delaying lawmakers and interfering with legislative votes, not to exempt legislators from criminal liability.

      State Capitol of New Hampshire, Concord

      State Capitol of New Hampshire, Concord. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

      “It was always the commute itself that was meant to be protected… Not the legislator protected from breaking the law,” she said.

      Read’s petition argues the New Hampshire Supreme Court has never interpreted the scope of the provision in the roughly 240 years since it was ratified, calling it a constitutional question of first impression that the state’s highest court has never squarely addressed.

      “The question is not whether a sitting legislator is ‘above the law,'” the petition states.

      Instead, Read argues, lawmakers traveling to and from legislative duties should receive the same “functional analysis” applied to police officers or emergency medical technicians who violate traffic laws while performing official duties.

      A judge rejected that argument in Read’s first speeding case.

      Court records show she was found guilty of negligent driving in August 2025 and fined $1,240, with half the fine deferred.

      She was also allowed to keep her license as long as she maintained good behavior for two years, completed a safe-driving course and avoided additional moving violations.

      Read later asked the New Hampshire Supreme Court to take up the constitutional question before the second speeding case proceeded. The court declined, denying her petition without prejudice and allowing her to raise the arguments again in a future appeal that complies with court rules.

      Read defended her handling of the case in an Instagram statement, saying she accepted the reduced negligent driving charge “to end the case” and did not appeal the constitutional issue.

      In the same statement, Read’s office disputed allegations that she exceeded 100 mph, arguing the 2009 Toyota Yaris she was driving, which she said has more than 440,000 miles on it, “simply cannot go that fast.”

      Her office also said the officer did not use radar or clock her speed and instead estimated it while accelerating to catch up to her vehicle. Read’s office further claimed a State House employee who was on the phone with her during the traffic stop later testified to an account that conflicted with the officer’s version of events.

      Read’s office also criticized the lack of body-camera footage from the stop and said she now encourages motorists to use dashboard cameras.

      Read said her challenge focuses on the legality of the traffic stops rather than the underlying charges.

      “The unconstitutional manner of the stops, and not the charge, therefore, was the topic of discussion in the case,” she said.