Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against NY Ex-Marine After Jury Deadlocks Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against NY Ex-Marine After Jury Deadlocks
Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against NY Ex-Marine After Jury Deadlocks A New York judge dismissed the top criminal count against an ex-Marine accused of choking a New Jersey street artist to death aboard a Manhattan subway after the jury deadlocked. Manhattan Judge Maxwell Wiley granted a defense motion to dismiss the manslaughter charge against Daniel Penny late Friday afternoon, Dec. 6, after jurors were unable to reach a verdict on the top count, NBC News reports. The dismissal came hours after jurors told Wiley they were deadlocked on whether Penny was guilty of second-degree manslaughter and the judge ordered them to continue deliberations.…
McComeback! Elusive Snack Wrap Returning To McDonald's Menu After Nearly Decade McComeback! Elusive Snack Wrap Returning To McDonald's Menu After Nearly Decade
McComeback! Elusive Snack Wrap Returning To McDonald's Menu After Nearly Decade Get your dipping sauces ready. McDonald’s is bringing back its elusive Snack Wrap nearly a decade after the cult-favorite menu item flew the coop. “The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025,” McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger teased during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday, Dec. 5. “This has a cult following," he added. "I get so many emails into my inbox about this product.” When pressed for an exact date by host George Stephanopoulos, Erlinger opted to keep things under wraps, citing “competitive reasons.” The original Snack Wrap debuted in 2006, featuring a tender p…
Jury Deliberating Fate Of Ex-Marine Accused In Street Artist's Death On Subway Jury Deliberating Fate Of Ex-Marine Accused In Street Artist's Death On Subway
Jury Deliberating Fate Of Ex-Marine Accused In Street Artist's Death On Subway Jury deliberations are underway in the case of a New York Marine Corps veteran accused of choking a street artist to death aboard a Manhattan subway. The anonymous jury began weighing manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges against Daniel Penny just after 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the death of Jordan Neely. Jurors concluded their deliberations Tuesday evening, and will be back in court to resume on Wednesday morning, Dec. 4. Bystander video allegedly showed the 26-year-old Penny, a Long Island resident from West Islip, placing the 30-year-old Neely in a chokehold aboard a t…
'Special, Joyful, Welcoming' Worcester Brewery, Taproom Closing After 6 Years 'Special, Joyful, Welcoming' Worcester Brewery, Taproom Closing After 6 Years
'Special, Joyful, Welcoming' Worcester Brewery, Taproom Closing After 6 Years A staple of Massachusetts’ booming brewery scene announced it will turn the taps off at the end of the month. Redemption Rock Brewery in Worcester shared on Facebook that its last day will be Sunday, Dec. 29. “Despite our best efforts, we simply haven’t been able to grow the business enough to remain open. And we’ve run out of time,” the 333 Shrewsbury St. taproom and brewery wrote in the post. The owners thanked the community for its support and for making Redemption Rock a part of their lives. They credited the brewery’s success to its loyal patrons, small business partners, and employee…
Alec Baldwin Says Americans 'Very Uninformed' About Important Issues Alec Baldwin Says Americans 'Very Uninformed' About Important Issues
Alec Baldwin Says Americans 'Very Uninformed' About Important Issues Actor Alec Baldwin – no stranger to controversy – is once again drawing the internet’s ire after recent comments on Americans’ intelligence. The 66-year-old New York native is facing backlash after suggesting that US citizens are ignorant about important world events and that watching films is the remedy to bridge the information gap. “Americans are very uninformed about reality, what’s really going on – with climate change, Ukraine, Israel, you name it, all the biggest topics in the world. Americans have an appetite for a little bit of information,” the Beetlejuice star told reporters at a…
Thanksgiving Bomb Threats: 5 CT Democrat Lawmakers Targeted Amid Political Unrest Thanksgiving Bomb Threats: 5 CT Democrat Lawmakers Targeted Amid Political Unrest
Thanksgiving Bomb Threats: 5 CT Democrat Lawmakers Targeted Amid Political Unrest Five Democratic lawmakers in Connecticut were targeted by bomb threat hoaxes on Thanksgiving, marking an alarming escalation in politically motivated attacks. Reps. Jim Himes, Jahana Hayes, Joe Courtney, and John Larson all announced that they received bomb threats requiring police intervention early Thursday morning, Nov. 28. Sen. Chris Murphy also received a threat.  Related: Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks Rep. Hayes, who represents Connecticut's 5th District, posted on X that police contacted her just before 8 a.m. about the threat.  My …
Martha Stewart Spotted Up Near Stage At Post-Rock Band's Show: Report Martha Stewart Spotted Up Near Stage At Post-Rock Band's Show: Report
Martha Stewart Spotted Up Near Stage At Post-Rock Band's Show: Report Some concertgoers at a popular post-rock band's show reportedly did a double-take when they saw longtime New York and former Connecticut resident Martha Stewart rocking out up near the front of the stage, according to a new report.  Stewart, age 83, was seen attending a Godspeed You! Black Emperor concert in Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday, Nov 16, according to a report by Stereogum.  The popular Canadian post-rock band, which formed in 1994, had been playing at Charleston's Music Farm. There, those in the audience posted about spotting Stewart in the crowd on X t…
Trump AG Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations Trump AG Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Trump AG Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations Facing stiff opposition in the US Senate, embattled former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. The 42-year-old Gaetz had been the subject of an investigation by the Justice Department involving allegations of sex trafficking and sex with a minor.  "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday," Gaetz posted on social media early Thursday afternoon, Nov. 21. "I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many.  "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that…
'Yikes': SNL Viewers Unimpressed By Alec Baldwin's Portrayal Of RFK Jr. 'Yikes': SNL Viewers Unimpressed By Alec Baldwin's Portrayal Of RFK Jr.
'Yikes': SNL Viewers Unimpressed By Alec Baldwin's Portrayal Of RFK Jr. And the crowd goes… mild. Actor and New York native Alec Baldwin is dividing the internet with his impression of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Saturday Night Live. The 66-year-old Baldwin, a Long Island native from Amityville, appeared in the NBC sketch comedy show’s cold open Saturday, Nov. 16, portraying Kennedy, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be health and human services secretary. Watch the entire clip below. Set in the Oval Office, the scene also featured Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden and James Austin Johnson as Trump. It made fun of Trump’s recent Cabinet nominations, inc…
Small Earthquake Recorded In CT Ahead Of Reports Of Loud Boom Small Earthquake Recorded In CT Ahead Of Reports Of Loud Boom
Small Earthquake Recorded In CT Ahead Of Reports Of Loud Boom The US Geological Survey said it recorded a small earthquake in Fairfield County at the same time multiple residents reported hearing a loud noise.  The agency said it detected a 1.3 magnitude earthquake just before noon in North Stamford. Such a quake is likely not powerful enough to cause any structural damage but can be strong enough for residents to feel the ground shake. Multiple people in North Stamford reported feeling tremors and hearing a loud noise at the same time as the reported earthquake. "I live near Hunting Ridge in North Stamford," someone posted on Reddit. "It felt l…
Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral
Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral A Connecticut school teacher who was put on leave after a video surfaced of her delivering an angry message directed at President-elect Donald Trump and his voters has resigned, officials said. Annie Dunleavy, a special education teacher for the Cheshire School District, submitted her immediate resignation from Chapman Elementary on Wednesday, Nov. 13, two days after being placed on temporary leave, school officials said. 'Related: You Will End On A Stretcher': Teacher on Leave After Threatening Trump Voters She shared the minute-long viral video in a private group message on Snapchat, b…
'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters 'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters
'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters Update: A Connecticut teacher who threatened to fight President-elect Donald Trump's voters in a viral video has resigned from the New Haven County school where she worked. Click here to read more.  Original: A Connecticut elementary school teacher was placed on temporary leave after a video of her threatening people who voted for President-Elect Donald Trump was shared on social media.  Cheshire Schools Superintendent Jeff Solan announced the decision on Monday, Nov. 11, and said the New Haven County school district is investigating the incident.  In the minute-long vi…
No, The FBI Says It Isn't Investigating 301 Election Bribery Claims Or Other Lies No, The FBI Says It Isn't Investigating 301 Election Bribery Claims Or Other Lies
No, The FBI Says It Isn't Investigating 301 Election Bribery Claims Or Other Lies The Federal Bureau of Investigations said it has seen a rise in fake stories using the agency's name and insignia being shared online in an attempt to undermine the recent presidential election.  The FBI cited four fake stories being shared on social media trading on the agency's reputation to give credence to lies.  Those included a video stating that “at least 301 electors reported attempted bribery and blackmail" from a political party, the agency said in a news release. Another claimed that agents had tried to cover up the bribery scheme by pressuring news media outl…
'Not What We Voted For:' Kamala Harris Delivers Concession Speech After Losing To Trump 'Not What We Voted For:' Kamala Harris Delivers Concession Speech After Losing To Trump
'Not What We Voted For:' Kamala Harris Delivers Concession Speech After Losing To Trump Vice President Kamala Harris has addressed the nation for the first time after losing the 2024 Presidential Election to Donald Trump at her alma mater, Howard University. "The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for not what we voted for," the vice president said. "but hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright." Harris urged her supporters to keep fighting before saying, "We must accept the results of this election." The veep said that she spoke to Trump and congratulated him on his victory, "and told him we will help him and h…
Election Day Traditions, Superstitions Run Gamut: 'Make Nachos, Drink Heavily' Election Day Traditions, Superstitions Run Gamut: 'Make Nachos, Drink Heavily'
Election Day Traditions, Superstitions Run Gamut: 'Make Nachos, Drink Heavily' After months of endless campaign ads, fundraising texts, rally speeches, and plenty of late-night TV fodder – who could forget, “They’re eating the dogs!!” – you’ve finally cast your ballot. Now what? If you’re like most politically minded Americans, you’ll be glued to wall-to-wall TV coverage, or constantly refreshing (doom scrolling?) your social media feed until a winner is finally projected in the presidential race. Spoiler alert: it could take days. And election-related stress is no joke: A majority of Democrats and Republicans said concern over the presidential race was spiking their …
Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation
Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Outrage is swirling after New York wildlife officials seized and later euthanized beloved social media sensation “Peanut” the squirrel. Chemung County resident Mark Longo, of Elmira, took to Instagram Wednesday, Oct 30, telling his 581,000 followers that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers had seized the animal, which he rescued in 2017 after its mother was struck by a car. “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” he wrote. “To the people who called (DEC), there’s a special place in hell for you.” In a…
Accused Pelosi Laptop Thief's Dad Convicted Of Child Abuse Year After Daughter's DC Conviction Accused Pelosi Laptop Thief's Dad Convicted Of Child Abuse Year After Daughter's DC Conviction
Accused Pelosi Laptop Thief's Dad Convicted Of Child Abuse Year After Daughter's DC Conviction The father of a Pennsylvania woman who was accused of stealing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's laptop was convicted of sexually abusing a girl on Wednesday, Oct. 30 — just two days after the trial began, according to court documents and the Dauphin County District Attorney's office.  Rickey Williams, 55, — a security guard from Dauphin County — touched the girl when she was between the ages of 8 and 18. Judge William T. presided over the trial.  She came forward about the abuse within two weeks after police allegedly caught him soliciting a video of a 14-ye…
NY Commentator Kicked Off CNN Mid-Show After Suggesting Muslim Journalist Is Terrorist NY Commentator Kicked Off CNN Mid-Show After Suggesting Muslim Journalist Is Terrorist
NY Commentator Kicked Off CNN Mid-Show After Suggesting Muslim Journalist Is Terrorist A political commentator from New York was pulled off a CNN panel mid-show and banned from the network after suggesting that a Muslim journalist was a terrorist. The stunning attack unfolded on the network’s “News Night with Abby Phillip” on Monday night, Oct. 28, during a heated roundtable discussion of former President Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden the day before. Scroll down to watch video of the incident. As the panelists discussed inflammatory and racist remarks that were made by rally speakers, progressive commentator Mehdi Hasan, who is of Indian descent and Muslim, a…
Catherine Zeta-Jones Posts Nude Photo: Here's Why Catherine Zeta-Jones Posts Nude Photo: Here's Why
Catherine Zeta-Jones Posts Nude Photo: Here's Why Longtime New York resident actress Catherine Zeta-Jones found a new meaning for the term "birthday suit" in a new social media post.  The 55-year-old actress posted a naked photo of herself on Instagram on Thursday, Sept. 25 to celebrate both her birthday and that of her husband, acclaimed actor Michael Douglas, who turned 80.  The post shows Zeta-Jones standing over a bathroom sink wearing nothing but her high heels. In the caption, the actress said the photo was "gift option two" for her husband, after golf balls. "After over 25 years of sharing my birthday day with my hu…
Alex Jones' InfoWars Up For Auction To Pay Sandy Hook Victims' Families: Report Alex Jones' InfoWars Up For Auction To Pay Sandy Hook Victims' Families: Report
Alex Jones' InfoWars Up For Auction To Pay Sandy Hook Victims' Families: Report The tools Alex Jones used to build his conspiracy theory and supplement-hawking empire could soon be yours, NPR reported.  A court-appointed trustee will soon begin to auction off pieces of Free Speech Systems, the parent company of InfoWars, to pay back the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting victims, the report continued.  Jones owes them $1.5 billion in a defamation judgment after he claimed the massacre, which killed 26 people — 20 of them children – was a hoax.  The trustee will sell everything from chairs and production equipment to the InfoWars brand name, th…
Ryan Reynolds, Special Guest Bond With 8-Year-Old Cancer Patient At Boston Hospital Ryan Reynolds, Special Guest Bond With 8-Year-Old Cancer Patient At Boston Hospital
Ryan Reynolds, Special Guest Bond With 8-Year-Old Cancer Patient At Boston Hospital Ryan Reynolds got the chance to meet a real-world superhero in Massachusetts.  The "Deadpool" star stopped by Mass General for Children on Friday, Sept. 20, to spend some time with Nash, a Canadian boy getting radiation treatments at the Boston hospital who is also a big fan of the "merc with the mouth."  Nash has a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. Related: Ryan Reynolds Raves About His Trip To Region Movie Theater "Everything you've gone through, that is a lot for an 8-year-old kid to shoulder," Reynolds told the boy. "I hope you know that." The Canadian-born Reyno…
Sweeping Change: Instagram Moves Teens Into Private Accounts 'Guided By Parents' Sweeping Change: Instagram Moves Teens Into Private Accounts 'Guided By Parents'
Sweeping Change: Instagram Moves Teens Into Private Accounts 'Guided By Parents' Millions of teenage Instagram users are being forced into private accounts with enhanced security features aimed at limiting their exposure to harmful content. Meta, the social media platform’s parent company, unveiled its “Teen Accounts” feature on Tuesday, Sept. 17, automatically placing anyone under the age of 18 into a default private account. Teens with a private account must accept new followers and people who don’t follow them can’t see their contact or interact with them. It also comes with strict messaging settings, making it so they can only receive messages from people they foll…
Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In New York Home Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In New York Home
Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In New York Home James Earl Jones, the beloved actor and voice behind one of cinema's most memorable villains, died Monday, Sept. 9, at his home in Dutchess County, Variety reported.  The "Field of Dreams" star was 93. No cause of death was given.  Jones, a Pawling resident, is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. From the Broadway stage, the silver screen, and a galaxy far, far away, the Mississippi-born actor had a range that few others could replicate.  He was a large man but could play gentle and meek characters, and his baritone voice could be calm and reassuring like in "The Lion …
Mixed Reviews, Epic Fail Taint Tom Brady's Debut As NFL Announcer Mixed Reviews, Epic Fail Taint Tom Brady's Debut As NFL Announcer
Mixed Reviews, Epic Fail Taint Tom Brady's Debut As NFL Announcer Tom Brady always seemed comfortable on a football field, but he struggled to adjust looking down on one.  That seems to be the consensus review following his first day as an NFL analyst.  The seven-time Super Bowl champion debuted as an NFL commentator for Fox on Sunday, Sept. 8, covering the Dallas Cowboys' 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. Though many fans were left talking about Brady's performance rather than anything in the game.  Critics dinged him for his nervousness and stiffness in front of the camera. They were shocked to see a man so full of emotion and fire o…
Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home
Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home New details are offering insight into the mind of an accused murderer just hours before he allegedly gunned down his ex-wife and her boyfriend inside their New York home. The Long Island killings happened in St. James, at a residence on Brasswood Road, at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Suffolk County Police said Daniel Coppola, age 50, put his 15-year-old daughter into his car before going inside and shooting his ex-wife, 50-year-old Kelly Coppola, and her boyfriend, 53-year-old Kenneth Pohlman. Earlier Report: Man Kills Ex-Wife, Her BF At St. James Home, Police Say Both vic…
Ousted Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Ousted Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case
Ousted Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Former Republican Congressman George Santos admitted to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal court on Monday, Aug. 19, authorities announced.  The 36-year-old former inhabitant of New York's 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island was facing 23 felonies, and a trial set to begin next month.  A federal judge will sentence Santos on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. According to federal sentencing guidelines, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.&n…
Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches
Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches In an at-times rambling conversation plagued by tech glitches that jumped from fawning praise to forced questions, former President Donald Trump laid out his clearest thesis for his campaign: Vote Trump to preserve American supremacy around the globe and avoid a World War.  The conversation began about the assassination attempt on Trump's life. Musk said he was stunned at how close Trump was to losing his life. The former president said even his doctors couldn't believe his luck.  The former president said it was most likely divine intervention that saved his life. https://t.c…
Red Sox Star Calls Heckler Gay Slur Over Tennis Racket Joke Red Sox Star Calls Heckler Gay Slur Over Tennis Racket Joke
Red Sox Star Calls Heckler Gay Slur Over Tennis Racket Joke It was already a bad night for Jarren Duran. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Red Sox outfielder was 0 for 2 with two strikeouts as he walked out to the Fenway Park batter's box in a game Boston was losing big in what wound up being a 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday, Aug. 11.  As Duran approached the box, a fan screamed that Duran needed a tennis racket to get a hit. The All-Star squawked back, "Shut up, you "f**king f**got." It's unclear if the umpire heard it, but the slur was audible on the NECN game microphones.  NESN mics picked up Red Sox outfie…