Columbus, OH

The Independent

The first photo of three Americans — marine Paul Whelan and journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva — has emerged after the historic prison swap.The photo showed the three Americans smiling while holding the American flag. The trio were released in Turkey on Thursday in the massive prison swap between Russia and western nations.Wall Street Journal assistant editor Paul Beckett shared the photo on Thursday afternoon.Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Paul Whelan. Free. Amazing. #IStandWithEvan pic.twitter.com/mGtNjTwedB— Paul Beckett (@paulwsj) August 1, 2024Two dozen prisoners were freed in the exchange — 16 of them from Russian captivity — marking it as the...

First photo of Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan is released after historic prisoner swap

USA TODAY

Marc Fogel, an American teacher imprisoned on drug charges in a Russian penal colony, was not included in the latest prisoner swap.

After Gershkovich and Whelan freed, this American teacher remains in Russian custody

Paul Whelan must have doubted this moment was ever going to come. It has been 2,043 days since Federal Security Service (FSB) agents in balaclavas burst into his Moscow hotel room, pinned him to the ground and announced he was being arrested for espionage. I followed Mr Whelan’s case closely...

After 2,043 days in a Russian prison, Paul Whelan finally heads home

New York City, NY

Ella Emhoff, the 25-year-old stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, was rushed out of a New York City restaurant after a man “caused damage” to Secret Service vehicles parked outside after confronting an agent. The incident occurred around 12.40 pm Tuesday along Hudson Street and North Moore Street...

Harris’ stepdaughter whisked away from NYC restaurant by Secret Service after irate man confronted an agent outside

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

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Bellingham Metro News

UNITED STATES — McDonald's has introduced a new burger, the "Big Arch," poised to become its first major global addition since Chicken McNuggets joined the core menu in 1983 and the recent addition of Chicken McCrispy.

McDonald's Unveils "Big Arch" Burger for U.S. and Global Markets

Las Vegas, NV

A housekeeper at a resort on the Las Vegas Strip stole more than $100,000 worth of cash and valuables from guests’ rooms and was arrested while wearing a missing bracelet, according to police. Maria Menendez Betancourt was an employee of the Palazzo Tower at the Venetian Resort at the...

Vegas casino maid stole more than $100,000 from guests’ rooms and was caught wearing victim’s bracelet, cops say

Orange County, CA

Corcoran, CA

NewSantaAna

CORCORAN – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the July 28, 2024, death of an incarcerated person at California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility as a homicide.

Pimp arrested in Orange County killed by an inmate at a state prison

WashingtonExaminer

While the United States welcomes the return of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and three others imprisoned in Russia, Marc Fogel, a high school history teacher, remains behind bars. A Pennsylvania native, Fogel and his wife had been living in Russia since 2012. Fogel taught at a charter school in which his students’ parents […]

American teacher Marc Fogel not included in prisoner swap with Russia

Delphi, IN

Indiana prosecutors say that Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen has already confessed to killing teenage best friends Libby German and Abby Williams 60 times in the 22 months since he has been held behind bars. They allege he admitted to killing the victims with a boxcutter he then threw in...

​Prosecutors say Delphi murders suspect confessed 60 times. His defense insists it was a ‘textbook’ cult killing

North Carolina State

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Town Talks

Can You Park in Front of Someone’s Property in North Carolina?. Parking on crowded city streets and neighborhoods can be challenging, and many wonder if it's permissible to park in front of someone’s property. Here's a breakdown of North Carolina's parking rules:

Can I legally park in front of someone’s home? What North Carolina law says

South Carolina State

When it comes to deciding who to marry, many people choose to spend the rest of their lives with a high school sweetheart, college classmate, or someone they met at work. Others decide to tie the knot with someone who they have known their whole lives — and maybe even met at a family reunion.

Can you marry your first cousin in North Carolina? What state law says

A historic prisoner swap between Russia, the US and other nations saw three Americans released from Russian detention. Meanwhile, US citizen Marc Fogel is still jailed in Russia. CNN’s Erin Burnett spoke to Fogel’s sister on August 1, hours after the prisoner swap took place.

‘Stabbed in the back:’ Family of US citizen not freed in prisoner swap reacts

Virginia State

Cheryl E Preston

Charisma reveals that Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen has been criticized again for what are considered to be insensitive comments. On his Twitter/X account, the Texas preacher said the following.

Virginia ministers weigh in on Joel Osteen's comments about blessings

Crestview, FL

A Florida woman has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and theft for stealing her roommate’s spider and drowning it in soda, according to police. Ilena Renae Rasmussen, 43, of Crestview, Florida, was arrested on Monday for the death of the jumping spider. Police were alerted to the case...

Woman arrested on animal cruelty charge for drowning roommate’s pet spider

Explore Beaufort SC

The mantis shrimp is one tough customer. Beautiful and deadly are two words you don’t typically use to describe shrimp, but the mantis shrimp is definitely in a class of its own; earning a reputation as the ‘savage boxer of the sea’ and one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. And, they're right at home here in South Carolina.

Savage Boxer of the Sea: The Deadly Beauty of Mantis Shrimp

Ronkonkoma, NY

The New York Post reveals that two men who died in a plane crash at MacArthur Airport were from Virginia. The men had been visiting friends in Long Island and were returning home when the tragedy occurred.

Life partners from Virginia have been identified as the victims of a New York plane crash

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

In the charmingly delightful world of astrology, you should know that each of the zodiac signs carries a specific set of traits. Those characteristics influence how individuals navigate the challenges they may meet in life. Some signs are known for their over-the-top boldness. These are the people who usually have such a strong willingness to face conflicts head-on.

3 Zodiac Signs That Hate Confrontation

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

A three-month-old baby has been shot in what community leaders believe to be a targeted and gang-related shooting while his family was on a store run to buy baby formula. Baby Jeremiah Carlos is currently in the ICU undergoing intensive medical treatment after he was shot in the chest over the weekend in Little Village, Chicago, while in a Walgreens parking lot, police said.

Three-month-old baby is shot in Walgreens parking lot when dad went to buy formula

NewsBreak

Marc Fogel’s family left ‘heartbroken and outraged’ as jailed US teacher is left out of Russia prisoner swap

The release of several Americans and other westerners from Russian detention has been hailed as the biggest and most significant prisoner swap since the end of...

Marc Fogel’s family left ‘heartbroken and outraged’ as jailed US teacher is left out of Russia prisoner swap

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