What Is Hantavirus? Gene Hackman's Wife Died From Rodent-Transmitted Disease, Officials Say What Is Hantavirus? Gene Hackman's Wife Died From Rodent-Transmitted Disease, Officials Say
What Is Hantavirus? Gene Hackman's Wife Died From Rodent-Transmitted Disease, Officials Say A rare but serious virus linked to rodents claimed the life of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, health officials said. Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on Tuesday, Feb. 11, a full week before the 95-year-old Hackman died from cardiovascular disease and advanced Alzheimer’s, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner revealed at a press conference Friday, March 7. The couple of more than 35 years–along with one of their three dogs–was found dead inside their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, as Daily Voice reported. Hantavirus is …
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Taylor Swift fans are hoping "Karma" comes to whoever scammed them out of expensive tickets to The Eras Tour. Two people were accused of stealing nearly 1,000 tickets to high-demand events, including the popstar's record-breaking concert tour. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced arrests in the case in a news release on Monday, Mar. 3. Tyrone Rose, 20, of Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara Simmons, 31, of Queens, NY, were facing charges including grand larceny, conspiracy, and computer tampering.  "These defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift…
CT Man Tried To Kidnap 2 Girls By Luring Them To His Car With Cash: Police CT Man Tried To Kidnap 2 Girls By Luring Them To His Car With Cash: Police
CT Man Tried To Kidnap 2 Girls By Luring Them To His Car With Cash: Police A Connecticut man was busted after police say he tried to lure two young girls — ages 10 and 11 — from a store to his car by offering them cash. A distinctive decal on his vehicle ultimately helped police solve the case nearly two months later. Robert Darche, 66, of Bristol, was arrested on Friday, March 7, on a charge of attempted kidnapping, Bristol police said. Investigators allege Darche approached the two girls at the Dollar Store on Jan. 11 after they left their parents' side to look at toys. He showed them money and told them to follow him to his car. The girls ran away in fear…
NJ Company Spent $25M On Every Possible Combo To Win $95M TX Lottery: Reports NJ Company Spent $25M On Every Possible Combo To Win $95M TX Lottery: Reports
NJ Company Spent $25M On Every Possible Combo To Win $95M TX Lottery: Reports Did a company based out of New Jersey rig the Texas lottery?  Texas officials are investigating after a company called Rook TX, based in Scotch Plains (Union County) claimed a $95 million jackpot in April 2023 by spending $25 million to buy nearly every possible number combination, the New York Times reported. Rook TX worked with four retailers in Texas to order a significant amount of lottery terminals to achieve every possible number combination, Ryan Mindell, the executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission told the Times. In the three days before the drawing, people went to …
You Make The Call: Gulf Of America Or Mexico? Vote Now You Make The Call: Gulf Of America Or Mexico? Vote Now
You Make The Call: Gulf Of America Or Mexico? Vote Now After President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, there's been a simmering controversy. Mexico is threatening to sue Google for going with Gulf of America for users in the United States, noting that much of the body of water lies outside US maritime borders in regions controlled by Mexico and Cuba. Apple Maps has also begun labeled it as the Gulf of America. What do you think it should be called? Vote in our poll above. Meanwhile, another platform is pushing back in a unique way — by letting users name the gulf themselves. While renaming …
Woman Strips Naked Before Southwest Flight's Scheduled Takeoff Woman Strips Naked Before Southwest Flight's Scheduled Takeoff
Woman Strips Naked Before Southwest Flight's Scheduled Takeoff A Southwest Airlines plane had to return to the gate after a woman suddenly got up, stripped naked, and ran up and down the aisle for nearly a half-hour. The incident happened on Monday, March 3 on at  William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. The Boeing 737 was bound for Phoenix. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was taken away for medical evaluations by the Houston Police Department, according to ABC13 Eyewitness News in Houston, which obtained a video of the incident. Police did not say if the woman would face any charges. In a statement to ABC13, Southwest Airlines…
Get Ready To Spring Forward: Here's When Daylight Saving Time Begins Get Ready To Spring Forward: Here's When Daylight Saving Time Begins
Get Ready To Spring Forward: Here's When Daylight Saving Time Begins Like it or not, it’s almost that time again—when we sacrifice an hour of sleep but gain extra sunlight in the evening. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is just around the corner, bringing the annual ritual of setting clocks ahead one hour. The time shift happens in March, marking the transition to longer, brighter days as we move closer to spring. So, when exactly do we “spring forward”? This year, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9. That’s when clocks jump ahead by an hour—meaning sunrise and sunset will each occur later in the day compared to Saturday, March 8. The idea b…
Trump Wants Hamas To Release NJ Hostage Edan Alexander: Envoy Trump Wants Hamas To Release NJ Hostage Edan Alexander: Envoy
Trump Wants Hamas To Release NJ Hostage Edan Alexander: Envoy "Edan Alexander is an American, and he’s injured—so he’s a top priority for us." That's what President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters Thursday, March 6, as negotiations intensify for the release of the 20-year-old Tenafly, NJ native still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Alexander is the only remaining Israeli-American hostage believed to still be alive in captivity, the NY Times reports. Witkoff, speaking on the former president’s behalf, expressed frustration with Hamas, calling for immediate transparency in the hostage situation. "We feel Hamas has not bee…
Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting
Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting A beef between Texas and New York is sizzling. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing to rename the New York strip steak as the "Texas strip" steak. The Republican said the Texas senate will file a resolution to make the name change official for restaurants and supermarkets in the Lone Star State. Lt. Gov. Patrick argues that the large cattle industry in Texas deserves the credit. "Just because a New York restaurant named Texas beef a New York Strip in the 19th century doesn't mean we need to keep doing that," he said in a social media post on Friday, Feb. 28. New York City resta…
US Issues Travel Warning For Popular Caribbean Destination: Here's Why US Issues Travel Warning For Popular Caribbean Destination: Here's Why
US Issues Travel Warning For Popular Caribbean Destination: Here's Why The US is warning American travelers to "exercise increased caution" if they visit the Turks and Caicos Islands. The State Department updated its travel advisory for Turks and Caicos on Tuesday, Mar. 4. The "level 2" advisory comes after several US citizens were arrested for carrying bullets in their luggage. The British Overseas Territory southeast of The Bahamas has very strict gun laws. "Firearms and ammunition, including single bullets brought by mistake in carry-on bags or luggage, are illegal," the State Department said. "Police strictly enforce these laws, even at the…
3 Skiers Presumed Dead After Being Buried In 40-Plus Feet Of Snow At US Resort 3 Skiers Presumed Dead After Being Buried In 40-Plus Feet Of Snow At US Resort
3 Skiers Presumed Dead After Being Buried In 40-Plus Feet Of Snow At US Resort An avalanche has buried three Americans skiers under snow of 40 feet or more. The avalanche struck in the Alaska backcountry near Girdwood, a small resort town, late Tuesday afternoon, March 4, local time. The skiers, part of a heli-skiing group, were reportedly trapped under the snow when the massive avalanche occurred.  The depth of the snowpack poses a significant recovery challenge, with estimates suggesting the skiers could be buried anywhere between 40 and 100 feet. This depth is comparable to a 10-story building. Guides accompanying the skiers utilized avalanche beacons to pin…
NJ Business Admits To Polluting Cheshire Brook, Causing Fish Kill — Fined $1M: DOJ NJ Business Admits To Polluting Cheshire Brook, Causing Fish Kill — Fined $1M: DOJ
NJ Business Admits To Polluting Cheshire Brook, Causing Fish Kill — Fined $1M: DOJ A New Jersey company has been ordered to pay a $1 million fine for violating the Clean Water Act after an unauthorized discharge of a hazardous material into a Connecticut waterway killed over 150 fish and contaminated the local ecosystem, federal authorities said.  National Water Main Cleaning Company (NWMCC), in Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced in federal court for knowingly releasing uncured geopolymer mortar into Cuff Brook while refurbishing a culvert pipe in Cheshire, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  The project, which took place in July 2019, was supposed to follow s…
Skater Breaks Down Honoring Parents Lost In DC Plane Crash: 'Mom, Dad I Love You' Skater Breaks Down Honoring Parents Lost In DC Plane Crash: 'Mom, Dad I Love You'
Skater Breaks Down Honoring Parents Lost In DC Plane Crash: 'Mom, Dad I Love You' Maxim Naumov poured his soul into the ice. The 23-year-old figure skater channeled his grief into a performance honoring the two people who had shaped his life—his parents. Son of Evgenia “Zhenya” Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both world champion skaters in Russia, took center stage at DC’s "Legacy on Ice" event, a tribute to the 67 lives lost in the January plane crash over the Potomac River. He performed to one of his late-parents' favorite songs, according to NBC, and fell to his knees at the end of his routine, overwhelmed with emotion. The emotional Naumov was given a st…
NBC Names New Nightly News Anchor NBC Names New Nightly News Anchor
NBC Names New Nightly News Anchor It didn't take long for NBC to decide on its choice as the next anchor of its Nightly News broadcast. On Monday, Feb. 24, Lester Holt announced he would stepping down after a 10-year-run at the start of the summer. On Wednesday, March 5, NBC News announced Tom Llamas will take over for Holt. Llamas, age 45, is a senior national correspondent and anchor of “Top Story with Tom Llamas,” an evening newscast that streams on NBC News NOW. “I look forward to working with the world class journalists at ‘Nightly News’ and ‘Top Story’ to bring viewers the most important stories every night,” Llamas…
Monopoly Ditches Cash With New App-Based Board Game: See The Huge Changes Monopoly Ditches Cash With New App-Based Board Game: See The Huge Changes
Monopoly Ditches Cash With New App-Based Board Game: See The Huge Changes Forget about picking a banker or flipping deeds to mortgage properties, Monopoly is going digital. Hasbro unveiled Monopoly App Banking at the North American International Toy Fair in New York City. The newest version is a major change as the classic board game celebrates its 90th anniversary. The digital-based game replaces paper money and the banker role with a mobile app handling all transactions, The Verge reported. Players will scan their bank and property cards into a smartphone or tablet, which will track money and automate transactions. The update…
Spirit Adding First Nonstop Flights To Two Southern Cities From NYC-Area Airport Spirit Adding First Nonstop Flights To Two Southern Cities From NYC-Area Airport
Spirit Adding First Nonstop Flights To Two Southern Cities From Nyc-area Airport New Jersey travelers will soon be able to fly nonstop to two new destinations in the South. Spirit Airlines will offer direct service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) and Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA). Spirit announced the flights in news releases on Wednesday, Mar. 5.  Nonstop flights to Chattanooga will begin on Wednesday, June 4, and service to Columbia will start the next day. The flights will take off four times a week and introductory fares start at $50 one way. In June, Spirit will also begi…
New England Sex Offender Hides Out In Pennsylvania, Attacking Officer: DA New England Sex Offender Hides Out In Pennsylvania, Attacking Officer: DA
New England Sex Offender Hides Out In Pennsylvania, Attacking Officer: DA A convicted sex offender from New England who fled registration requirements in Vermont and Massachusetts was sentenced to state prison in Pennsylvania after committing a string of crimes over two days, including a hit-and-run, high-speed chase, and assaulting a police officer, authorities announced on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Nathan D. Taylor, 39, of New Holland, was sentenced to two and a half to five years in state prison, followed by five years of probation, after pleading guilty on Feb. 27 to indecent assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, accidents involving damage to an at…
Melania Trump Leads Fight Against Revenge Porn: ‘Take It Down Act’ Explained Melania Trump Leads Fight Against Revenge Porn: ‘Take It Down Act’ Explained
Melania Trump Leads Fight Against Revenge Porn: ‘Take It Down Act’ Explained Melania Trump has a message for Congress: It’s time to act. The First Lady is taking a high-profile stand against deepfake pornography and online sexual exploitation, calling on lawmakers to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bipartisan bill that would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate images (NCII), including AI-generated content, according to Congressional records. Trump, alongside Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), hosted a bipartisan roundtable discussion Monday, March 3, where victims and advocates shared gut-wrenching stories about how AI-ge…
Shelton Police Nab Suspect After Rash of Car Break-Ins; Stolen Vehicle Crashes in Wild Getaway Shelton Police Nab Suspect After Rash of Car Break-Ins; Stolen Vehicle Crashes in Wild Getaway
Shelton Police Nab Suspect After Rash of Car Break-Ins; Stolen Vehicle Crashes in Wild Getaway After a string of at least 25 vehicle break-ins over the past several days, police in Connecticut arrested a man with burglary tools after he led officers on a foot chase, authorities said. Jostyne Morales-Ortiz, 27, of Bridgeport, was arrested Sunday night, March 3, in Shelton and faces multiple charges, police said. Shelton police increased patrols downtown after more than two dozen vehicle break-ins were reported. During one of those sweeps, Officer Ray Laudato noticed a stolen car in a Cornell Street parking lot. When he approached the vehicle, the driver sped off, nearly hitting the of…
Ex-WWE CEO Linda McMahon Confirmed As Secretary Of Education Ex-WWE CEO Linda McMahon Confirmed As Secretary Of Education
Ex-wwe CEO Linda McMahon Confirmed As Secretary Of Education In a party-line vote, the Senate confirmed former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Linda McMahon as secretary of education on Monday, March 3.  It was an expected outcome as all of President Donald Trump's nominees have passed confirmation.  Trump has voiced his desire to abolish the Department of Education and transfer school decision-making powers to the states.  "It's a big con job," the president said of the Department of Education, according to Fox News. "They ranked the top countries in the world. We're ranked No. 40, but we're ranked No. 1 in one department: co…
Casey Anthony Resurfaces To Advocate For Slain Daughter In Viral TikTok Debut Casey Anthony Resurfaces To Advocate For Slain Daughter In Viral TikTok Debut
Casey Anthony Resurfaces To Advocate For Slain Daughter In Viral TikTok Debut Casey Anthony is making a comeback—on TikTok. The former Florida mom, acquitted in 2011 of murder charges related to the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, has reemerged as a self-proclaimed legal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, women like herself, and her daughter, she says in the video posted Saturday, March 1. “For those of you who don’t know, my name is Casey Anthony. My daughter is Caylee Anthony. My parents are George and Cindy Anthony. This is not about them. This is not in response to anything that they have said or done… The whole point of this is for me to begin to reint…
Seal Pup Dies Weeks After New Haven Street Rescue: 'Chappy Was Surrounded By Love' Seal Pup Dies Weeks After New Haven Street Rescue: 'Chappy Was Surrounded By Love'
'Chappy' The New Haven Seal Dies, Mystic Aquarium Says A seal pup found wandering on a New Haven street has died, unable to recover from illness and malnutrition. The gray seal nicknamed "Chappy" has died, Mystic Aquarium said in an Instagram post on Monday, Mar. 3. The male pup was brought to the aquarium's Animal Rescue Clinic on Sunday, Feb. 16 after New Haven police found him stranded near the intersection of Chapel and East streets. At first, Chappy responded well to treatments for dehydration, malnutrition, and mild pneumonia, but he struggled with digestion after transitioning to eating whole fish. "The Mystic Aquarium st…
Rolling in Recognition: Keith Richards Honored With Governor's Award Of Excellence Rolling in Recognition: Keith Richards Honored With Governor's Award Of Excellence
Rolling in Recognition: Keith Richards Honored With Governor's Award Of Excellence Rolling Stones legend and longtime Connecticut resident Keith Richards is receiving the first-ever Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence, an honor celebrating those who embody the state’s values of creativity, passion, and generosity, Governor Ned Lamont announced on Monday, March 3.  Richards, a longtime Weston resident, is being recognized not only for his decades-long music career but his deep commitment to the local community. His support for organizations like SPHERE, which empowers adults with disabilities, and The Prospector Theater, which creates meaningful jobs through fil…
And The Winner Is: CT Producer Takes Home Top Oscar Prize And The Winner Is: CT Producer Takes Home Top Oscar Prize
And The Winner Is: CT Producer Takes Home Top Oscar Prize It was "Anora’s" night at the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, as the film collected five Oscars, most of them going to writer, director, and editor Sean Baker. But when the gritty comedy won Best Picture, Baker temporarily took a back seat to one of the film’s producers, Alex Coco — a former New Canaan resident — who was the first to take the mic. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan present 'Anora' (Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker) with the Oscar for Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards.  Oscars Coco attended New Canaan High School, and his mother, Denise Coco, still lives i…
IRS Issues Warning For These Taxpayer Scams IRS Issues Warning For These Taxpayer Scams
IRS Issues Warning For These Taxpayer Scams A new warning from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taxpayers on high alert as the agency unveils its 2025 Dirty Dozen — a list of the most common and deceptive tax scams that could put financial and personal information at risk. With tax season in full swing, scammers are ramping up efforts to steal money, sensitive data, and even taxpayer identities. From fake tax credits to social media-fueled misinformation, the schemes on this year’s list serve as a reminder that fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics. What Is the Dirty Dozen? Each year, the IRS compiles the Dirty Doze…
Billy Joel's Onstage Fall Stuns Crowd At Mohegan Sun Concert Billy Joel's Onstage Fall Stuns Crowd At Mohegan Sun Concert
Billy Joel's Onstage Fall Stuns Crowd At Mohegan Sun Concert Billy Joel stunned those on hand when he fell onstage at a concert in the Northeast. The incident happened Saturday, Feb. 22 in Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville. The 75-year-old "Piano Man" fell while performing his classic hit, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.”
 As Joel engaged with the audience, he momentarily stepped away from his piano and began interacting with the microphone stand. In a dramatic flourish towards the conclusion of the song, he threw the stand into the air. However, this exuberance resulted in a loss of balance, causing him to t…
120 Toxic Chemicals Found In Drinking Water Across CT, New Study Says 120 Toxic Chemicals Found In Drinking Water Across CT, New Study Says
120 Toxic Chemicals Found In Drinking Water Across CT, New Study Says Drinking water in some Northeast states contains some of the highest levels of contaminants in the country, according to new data. The latest update to the Environmental Working Group's tap water database analyzed nearly 50,000 water systems nationwide between 2021 and 2023. The nonprofit identified 324 contaminants in drinking water, many at levels exceeding health-based guidelines. New York had the highest number in the region with 197 contaminants detected since 2013. New Jersey followed with 131, Pennsylvania with 123, and Connecticut with 120. Massachusetts recorde…
CT Rivers Featured In New Stamp Series Honoring Appalachian Trail's Beauty CT Rivers Featured In New Stamp Series Honoring Appalachian Trail's Beauty
CT Rivers Featured In New Stamp Series Honoring Appalachian Trail's Beauty A new set of stamps celebrating the Appalachian Trail has been released, showcasing breathtaking landscapes across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the Forever stamps during a first-day-of-issue ceremony at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia on Friday, Feb. 28. The stamps honor the nearly 2,200-mile trail that stretches through 14 states. The collection highlights key locations along the trail, from New England's rugged peaks to historic sites in the mid-Atlantic. "The natural beauty of the Appalachian Trail has delighted millions throughout the…
Some Americans Must File Tax Returns In March: Here's Who, Why Some Americans Must File Tax Returns In March: Here's Who, Why
Some Americans Must File Tax Returns In March: Here's Who, Why The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has alerted some American workers that they face an early tax deadline.  Those in the group who did not make estimated tax payments by Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, must file their 2024 federal income tax returns and pay any taxes owed by Monday, March 3, 2025.  Due to the deadline falling on a Saturday, it has been extended from the usual Saturday, March 1, to Monday, March 3. Details of the Early Deadline Farmers and fishers who qualify for this special deadline are those who derived at least two-thirds of their gross income from their respective…
Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says
Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says The US population is rapidly diversifying, with cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic at the forefront, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 ranking of the nation's Most Diverse Cities on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Three Maryland communities topped the list of 501 locations, which were evaluated based on socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, and religious diversity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10.2 percent of Americans identified as multiracial in 2020, a sharp increase from just 2.9 percent in 2010. "The most diverse cities demonstrate diversity in many …
Lunar Eclipse To Drench Moon In Red: When To Watch Lunar Eclipse To Drench Moon In Red: When To Watch
Lunar Eclipse To Drench Moon In Red: When To Watch Skywatchers are in for a celestial treat as an upcoming total lunar eclipse, the first since 2022. It's set to take place overnight from Wednesday, March 13, into Thursday, March 14. Those in North America will have a prime viewing opportunity to witness the moon undergo a dramatic transformation. During the peak of the eclipse, expected between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. Eastern time, the moon will take on a reddish hue, a phenomenon commonly referred to as a "Blood Moon."  Even with some cloud cover, brief breaks in the sky could allow glimpses of this rare event. Following the eclips…