TikTok Access Restored In United States TikTok Access Restored In United States
TikTok Access Restored In United States Americans regained access to TikTok after a 14-hour ban left the popular app unavailable. As of Sunday, Jan. 19, it remained unclear why the app was once again operational in the United States. The Supreme Court had previously upheld a ruling to enforce the ban, citing national security concerns linked to TikTok’s Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance. President Trump reportedly said he planned on issuing an executive order giving ByteDance more time to sell the video-sharing platform.
Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media
Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media A new app is fighting against doomscrolling and helping users get active by turning steps into screen time. Steppin' blocks you from using certain apps unless you walk a certain number of daily steps. The app was founded by Boston entrepreneur Paul English, who's also a co-founder of travel search engine Kayak.com. Steppin' rewards physical activity by tying screen time to movement. For every 100 steps, users earn one minute of access to restricted apps, including social media apps like Facebook and Instagram, as well as other platforms like Netflix. The app's settings are fully …
MD Among Five Most-Expensive States For Smokers, New Study Says MD Among Five Most-Expensive States For Smokers, New Study Says
MD Among Five Most-Expensive States For Smokers, New Study Says Northeast and mid-Atlantic states are among the most expensive in the U.S. for smoking tobacco, according to a new study. New York topped the 2025 list from WalletHub called "The Real Cost of Smoking by State", with residents losing an estimated $5.4 million over their lifetime. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island were also ranked in the top five. The study calculated smoking-related costs by combining out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, increased insurance premiums, and missed financial opportunities, such as investing in the stock market instead of …
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About Hmpv A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China is sparking concerns five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, drawing attention to another respiratory virus circulating in the population. HMPV, a known virus, usually causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat.  The new rise in cases, particularly among children under 14 in northern China, has officials urging caution as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, a time when travel and gatherings often lead to spikes in illness. Data from China’s state news agency, Xinhua, shows …
Infamous 'So I Raped You' Maryland Fugitive Caught In France, Denied Bail After Years Running Infamous 'So I Raped You' Maryland Fugitive Caught In France, Denied Bail After Years Running
Infamous 'So I Raped You' Maryland Fugitive Caught In France, Denied Bail After Years Running A Gettysburg man extradited from France to face sexual assault charges was denied bail on Friday, Jan. 17, according to court documents. Ian Thomas Cleary, 31, was charged with Felony Sexual Assault stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred on Dec. 15, 2013, according to a criminal docket filed by the Gettysburg Borough Police Department. Cleary was extradited from France and considered a significant flight risk, leading to the denial of bail by Magisterial District Judge Tony J. Little, as noted in the court records. According to the docket, "Defendant extradited from France. Consi…
Supreme Court Attorney From Montgomery County Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds Supreme Court Attorney From Montgomery County Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds
Supreme Court Attorney From Montgomery County Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds A supreme court attorney attorney from Maryland who made his name arguing before the Supreme Court is now facing serious legal trouble of his own. Thomas Goldstein, 53, a prominent appellate lawyer and high-stakes poker player known to play in games involving millions, was indicted on Thursday, Jan. 16 on multiple charges for failing to report his winnings, authorities announced It is alleged that Goldstein failed to report millions of dollars in poker winnings and omitting over $14 million in debt to secure a multimillion-dollar home loan in DC. Specifically, a federal grand jur…
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S.
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. The Supreme Court has upheld a new law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company divests from the very popular video-sharing social media app. The justices said the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" doesn't violate the First Amendment, according to the court's decision on Friday, Jan. 17. The ruling allows for TikTok to potentially be banned in the U.S. as early as Sunday, Jan. 19. TikTok, which has more than 170 million users in the U.S., has come under scrutiny over fears that ByteDance could allow the Chinese gov…
Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion
Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Videos are circulating of SpaceX's Starship Flight 7 meeting an explosive end over the Atlantic Ocean during its Thursday, Jan. 16 test launch.  The flight, conducted at 4:37 p.m. CT from Starbase, TX, aimed to achieve major milestones but faced setbacks in its journey to space. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, commented on the test, saying, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨” Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨ pic.twitter.com/nn3PiP8XwG — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025 The launch was streamed live by SpaceX on X in a video that had …
$400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign $400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign
$400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign In an escalating legal battle featuring Hollywood heavyweights, actor Justin Baldoni is suing Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million allegedly orchestrating a smear campaign to ruin his career. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Lively and Reynolds used their influence to seize control of Baldoni's film "It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.  Baldoni directed, co-starred in, and co-financed the production through his company, Wayfarer Studios. “This is not a case about celebrities sniping at each …
Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In MoCo: Prosecutors Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In MoCo: Prosecutors
Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In MoCo: Prosecutors The shooter who opened fire into a group of people and killed a man after getting kicked out of a nightclub in Montgomery County has been convicted, authorities announced. Ramone Christopher Ramsay, who has no known address, was found guilty of murder and other charges by a jury in connection to the murder of 21-year-old Baltimore resident Kymani Elijah Bailey in July 2023. Kymani Elijah Bailey Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office At approximately 2:40 a.m. on July 8, 2023, officers were called to the Montgomery County Public Parking Garage 3 in the 900 block of Silver Sprin…
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the sales of 20 types of ZYN nicotine pouches amid concerns about children and teens using the products. The decision allows ZYN nicotine pouches to be legally marketed in the U.S. to adults aged 21 and older, the FDA said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 6. The small natural fiber pouches are designed to be placed between the gum and lip. The FDA said the pouches contain substantially lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes and most smokeless tobacco products, reducing risks of cancer and other serious …
Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, New Study Says Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, New Study Says
Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, New Study Says A rise in dementia cases could be linked to Americans' appetite for one of its favorite foods.  Findings suggest that rising dementia cases in the US may be linked to a preference for meats.  A study in Neurology by researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard indicates that diets high in processed red meats — like bacon, hot dogs, and sausage — were associated with a 13 percent increased risk of developing dementia. The research analyzed data from 133,771 participants, averaging 49 years old, over a follow-up period of up to 43 years.  Among them, 11,173 developed dem…
Montco's Double Homicide Linked To Pennsylvania Boy’s Killer's Gun Montco's Double Homicide Linked To Pennsylvania Boy’s Killer's Gun
Montco's Double Homicide Linked To Pennsylvania Boy’s Killer's Gun As the anniversary of Jason Rivera’s tragic killing approaches, investigators have uncovered a web of violence spanning two states, connecting the gun used to kill the 13-year-old in South Lebanon Township to a Maryland double homicide and two teenage suspects charged as adults. Jason Rivera’s life was cut short on Feb. 15, 2022, when he was shot 12 times outside his uncle’s apartment in South Lebanon Township. The seventh grader’s murder weapon—a Glock 26—has since become a key piece in a broader investigation, tied to multiple violent crimes in Maryland. The same gun was linked to a drive…
Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal
Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal after 15 months of war, according to multiple reports, citing senior sources in the White House. Around 30 hostages are expected to be released in the initial phase of the agreement, according to CNN.  There are seven Americans being held, two of whom are expected to be free in the first phase, according to Axios. Hundreds of incarcerated Palestinians being held by Israel are expected to be released in the initial phase, CNN reports. It's unclear when the ceasefire will start. The agreement, reached on Wednes…
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods The Food and Drug Administration has officially banned Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives certain foods their vivid cherry-red hue, due to cancer concerns in lab animals. The FDA revoked the authorization for the coloring's use in food products, oral drugs, and dietary supplements, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Manufacturers have until Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, to remove Red Dye 3 from food products and Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2028, for drugs. Products made before these deadlines may still appear on shelves if they were manufactured before …
Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know
Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know A highly contagious strain of norovirus, GII.17, is rapidly spreading across the United States, fueling an unusually high number of outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Facts Record Outbreaks: The CDC reported 91 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks in the first week of December, the highest for this time of year in recent history. Dominant Strain: GII.17 accounts for nearly 70 percent of US cases and has driven a similar surge in Britain. Foodborne Threats: Contaminated oysters from a Los Angeles event sickened at least 80 people. Recall…
IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible
IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible Around $2.4 billion in automatic payments will be issued to nearly one million taxpayers, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The agency said they will go to those who missed out on claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.  These payments, with a maximum of $1,400 per individual, aim to ensure eligible Americans receive money they may have overlooked when filing their tax returns. Automatic Payments, Eligibility No action is required for eligible taxpayers to receive the payments, which will be issued automatically.  The funds, based on IRS data, will be sent via …
Convicted Killer Gets Harsh Sentence For Armed Robbery Of Parkinson's Patient In Maryland Convicted Killer Gets Harsh Sentence For Armed Robbery Of Parkinson's Patient In Maryland
Convicted Killer Gets Harsh Sentence For Armed Robbery Of Parkinson's Patient In Maryland A Baltimore man with a chilling past as a convicted murderer has been handed a 20-year sentence after robbing a former co-worker suffering from Parkinson’s disease at gunpoint. Keith Curtis, 57, who served time for the brutal 1995 killing of a retired Johns Hopkins professor, was sentenced to 20 years for robbery and firearm possession by a Baltimore City judge, who went 10 years beyond the sentencing guidelines, authorities announced.  The decision was based on Curtis’ violent history and failure to reform, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office said. The November 2023 robbery …
Dad Kills Son, 4, On Christmas Eve In Baltimore Before Shooting Himself: Police Dad Kills Son, 4, On Christmas Eve In Baltimore Before Shooting Himself: Police
Dad Kills Son, 4, On Christmas Eve In Baltimore Before Shooting Himself: Police A Baltimore mother is reeling weeks after the father of her child shot and killed their 4-year-old son on Christmas Eve before turning the gun on himself.  Mark Jones, 30, is being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center after being arrested in the days following the holiday in connection to the fatal shooting of Jacobi Sa'Fiir Marcelle during an incident in Rosedale, according to police. Officers responded to a home at around 6:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24 to the unit block of Breslin Court, where there was a reported domestic-related assault that culminated with in …
FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease
FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease The Food and Drug Administration has proposed moving nutrition labels to the front of most packaged foods, aiming to help consumers make healthier choices, officials said. The FDA officially unveiled its proposal requiring front-of-package nutrition labels, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 14. This effort is part of a broader strategy to combat chronic diseases, which affect about 60 percent of Americans and account for $4.5 trillion in annual health care costs. The proposed "nutrition info box" would display saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content i…
Father Confesses To Killing 19-Year-Old Mother Of Unborn Baby In Maryland: Prosecutors Father Confesses To Killing 19-Year-Old Mother Of Unborn Baby In Maryland: Prosecutors
Father Confesses To Killing 19-Year-Old Mother Of Unborn Baby In Maryland: Prosecutors Justice may have been served for the family of Jaymyra Burrell, the 19-year-old who was shot and killed in Baltimore while she was pregnant with her shooter's child. Malik McCormick pleaded guilty this week to fatally shooting the teen in December 2022 in the 5600 block of Woodmont Avenue, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office announced. Malik McCormick Baltimore Police Department His plea helped avoid a trial. "This case powerfully conveys the tragic consequences of intimate partner violence, representing an unimaginable loss for the loved ones of Jaymyra Burrell," State's …
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, are surging across the United States, with healthcare systems feeling the strain as more people seek care for these conditions.  The CDC reported on Monday, Jan. 13 that the nation is experiencing high levels of acute respiratory illnesses, with young children and older adults particularly affected. COVID-19 activity has increased in most areas, fueled by rising emergency department visits, elevated lab test positivity, and high levels of virus detected in wastewater.  Influenza remains widespread, while RSV activity …
Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says
Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says It turns out the human ear got off to a fishy start. Literally. A fascinating new study reveals that the mammalian outer ear has its evolutionary roots in the gills of ancient fish.  This surprising discovery sheds light on how structures can adapt over millions of years to serve entirely new functions. Published in Nature by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the study connects the elastic cartilage in mammalian ears to the same rare tissue found in fish gills.  To explore this link, scientists used gene enhancers — DNA sequences that control tissue development.…
Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time
Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time A 36-year-old Maryland man who used women's' drug dependency to compel them to participate in commercial sex work for him up and down the East Coast will spend nearly two decades in prison, federal authorities announced. William O’Neil Murray III pleaded guilty in August 2024 to sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion over the course of several months in several states. On Monday, Jan. 13, Murray was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison and also ordered to pay his victims nearly $95,000 in restitution. “This sentencing is a powerful reminder that the FBI Richmond team will tir…
Convicted Sex Offender In MD Sentenced For Illegal Reentry After Deportation To Guatemala: Feds Convicted Sex Offender In MD Sentenced For Illegal Reentry After Deportation To Guatemala: Feds
Convicted Sex Offender In MD Sentenced For Illegal Reentry After Deportation To Guatemala: Feds A Hyattsville man convicted of sexually abusing a minor in Maryland is heading to federal prison after illegally reentering the country following his deportation, officials said. A judge sentenced 48-year-old Erbeth Gomez-Delgado to 24 months in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of reentry after deportation during a three-day trial in November 2024, according to the US Attorney's Office. Gomez-Delgado was first encountered by US Customs and Border Patrol on July 29, 2016, crossing the Rio Grande in Texas without inspection.  Officials deported him to Guatemala the same day,…
Find Out How MD Ranks Among Best States For Raising Families In New Study Find Out How MD Ranks Among Best States For Raising Families In New Study
Find Out How MD Ranks Among Best States For Raising Families In New Study Massachusetts leads the U.S. as a place for raising families and two other Northeast states are among the nation's best, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of best and worst states to raise a family on Monday, Jan. 13. The personal finance website ranked each state on family-friendliness, evaluating factors like housing affordability, healthcare quality, job security, and education. Massachusetts claimed the top spot, excelling in education and healthcare. The state boasts the nation’s best public schools, the highest rate of children with health insurance, and …
Rare Comet Could Shine As Bright As Venus: Here’s When You Can See It Rare Comet Could Shine As Bright As Venus: Here’s When You Can See It
Rare Comet Could Shine As Bright As Venus: Here’s When You Can See It A celestial event 160,000 years in the making will grace the night sky this week, as Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) makes its rare appearance.  Expected to be the brightest comet in nearly 20 years, it could shine as brightly as the planet Venus, offering a spectacular sight for skywatchers. Until now, the comet has only been visible in the Southern Hemisphere. However, stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, including those in the US and Europe, will get their chance to view it as it travels back toward the Sun. The best time to catch a glimpse of the comet is around half an hour before sunr…
New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed
New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed The number of confirmed deaths from six separate wildfires in the Los Angeles area has climbed to 16. The situation remains dire, with at least another 16 people still reported missing, and authorities anticipate that this number may increase as the search continues. The wildfires have destroyed 40,000 acres -- more than twice the size of Manhattan and almost the size of Washington, DC, while The creating apocalyptic scenes that seem straight from a horror movie. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed. A red flag warnings for dangerous fire conditions through Wednesday, Jan.…
Parks And Rec Employee In DC Who Killed 13-Year-Old Karon Blake Learns Prison Fate In Court Parks And Rec Employee In DC Who Killed 13-Year-Old Karon Blake Learns Prison Fate In Court
Parks And Rec Employee In DC Who Killed 13-Year-Old Karon Blake Learns Prison Fate In Court A District man who gunned down a 13-year-old boy during a chaotic confrontation over a string of car break-ins is headed to prison for over 12 years, officials announced. Jason Lewis, 42, a former DC Parks and Recreation employee, was sentenced this week, to 12 ½ years behind bars for the shooting death of Karon Blake, a middle schooler, during an early-morning incident on Quincy Street NE in January 2023, according to federal prosecutors. The case rocked the city when Lewis, armed with a loaded handgun, stepped outside his home around 4 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2023, after spotting two people break…
Maryland Man Convicted Of Fatally Stabbing Cousin's Dog During Family Dispute Maryland Man Convicted Of Fatally Stabbing Cousin's Dog During Family Dispute
Maryland Man Convicted Of Fatally Stabbing Cousin's Dog During Family Dispute A Prince Frederick man is facing up to six years behind bars after being convicted of stabbing his cousin’s dog during a family argument, officials said. On Friday, Jan. 10, 39-year-old Mark Roosevelt Fields was found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty and dangerous weapons charges by a Calvert County jury after a two-day trial, according to prosecutors. The case unfolded when Fields reportedly killed his cousin’s dog following a heated dispute. The brutal incident shocked the local community and led to his arrest. Fields is currently being held without bond at the Calvert County Detentio…
2025 Tax Season Begins: What You Need To Know About Expanded Options, New Tools 2025 Tax Season Begins: What You Need To Know About Expanded Options, New Tools
2025 Tax Season Begins: What You Need To Know About Expanded Options, New Tools Early filers, get ready. The 2025 tax season is here! The IRS will start accepting and processing tax returns on Monday, Jan. 27, the agency said in a news release. IRS Free File also became available on Friday, Jan. 10 to taxpayers who qualify through private-sector partners. With more than 140 million tax returns expected, the IRS urged taxpayers to take advantage of updated online resources and consider using trusted tax preparers to avoid scams. "This has been a historic period of improvement for the IRS, and people will see additional tools and features to help them with filing their …