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First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US
First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Health officials have confirmed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 18 saying the infection was diagnosed on Friday, Dec. 13, following contact the patient made with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock. The case was reported in Louisiana and marks the first H5N1 case in the US linked to exposure to backyard poultry.  Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. H5 is generally less severe than…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Former Gov. Larry Hogan Shares Mysterious Video Of Possible 'Drones' Outside Maryland Home Former Gov. Larry Hogan Shares Mysterious Video Of Possible 'Drones' Outside Maryland Home
Former Gov. Larry Hogan Shares Mysterious Video Of Possible 'Drones' Outside Maryland Home It's a bird... It's a plane... It's a drone? Maybe?  Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is the latest to throw out thoughts about the plague of drones that have been spotted across the East Coast in recent weeks. Hogan fanned the flames of speculation recently after sharing a curious nearly two-minute video of what he believed to be drones in the area, though he cautioned that he was no expert in the matter in a social media post that garnered nearly 4.5 million views. Last night, beginning at around 9:45 pm, I personally witnessed (and videoed) what appeared to be dozens of large dr…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Hackers have found a hole in Krispy Kreme's online ordering system, leaving some customers temporarily unable to place digital orders for their favorite donuts.  The company has confirmed the incident and stated that its technical team is actively working to resolve the issue. Krispy Kreme reported that the breach influenced its web-based platforms but did not affect in-store operations or the safety of customers' personal data.  The attack was first discovered at the end of November, the company said in a filing with Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Krispy Kreme said it "i…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amid the busiest shopping weekend of the holiday season, workers for Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, have gone on strike. Protesting under the banner of “Make Amazon Pay.” employees have walked off the job across six continents in 20 countries, including the United States. The strike is scheduled to last from Black Friday on Nov. 29 through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, the UNI Global Union announced, saying protests will be held in majors cities in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and elsewhere. The strike could cause customers' holiday deliveries …

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections and administrative appointees were the targets threats the last two days, a spokesperson said, calling the acts "violent" and "un-American." According to a statement by the Trump-Vance Transition Team on Wednesday, Nov. 27, several individuals associated with the incoming administration were subjected to threats ranging from bomb scares to "swatting" incidents, in which false reports are made to dispatch emergency responders to someone's location. Law enforcement responded swiftly to ensure the safety of those targeted, the team s…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Two months after exiting bankruptcy, restaurant chain Red Lobster is unveiling a revamped menu. It features these seven new items: Lobster Pappardelle Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops Lobster Bisque Lemon Basil Mahi Simply Prepared Mahi Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Roasted Asparagus In addition, a pair of old fan-favorites that had been discontinued are back:  Popcorn Shrimp, Hush Puppies  Red Lobster is now giving guests the ability to customize their seafood favorites with the launch of "Create your Own Ultimate Feast." Customers can mix and match two premium picks such as …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores A nationwide auto parts retailers says it will close over 700 stores as part of “a strategic plan to improve business performance.” Advance Auto Parts, which has about 4,800 total stores, and locations in almost every state, made the announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14. The affected outlets will close by May 2025 and are made up of 523 corporate stores, and 204 independently owned locations. In addition, four distribution centers will also close. Specific locations to be closed have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, President and Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Kelly said…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency President-Elect Donald Trump continues to fill his cabinet with loyalists and his biggest supporters following his sweeping victory in last week's election.  He announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, that two billionaire former rivals turned allies, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, would head up his new Department of Government Efficiency.  Related: Trump Nominates NY Rep. Elise Stefanik As UN Ambassador The tech entrepreneur, age 53, and the 39-year-old Harvard and Yale Law grad will be tasked with major cuts in government spending. Trump called it "The Manhattan Project" for a new…

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar
Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar President-elect Donald Trump has picked one of his strongest allies in Congress to serve as United States ambassador to the United Nations and a former member of his first administration as border czar. Rep. Elise Stefanik, age 40, was first elected to New York's 21st District in 2014 and is the House Republican Conference Chair, the youngest woman to hold that post. "Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump said in a statement to CBS News. CNN first reported the news late Sunday, Nov. 10. Trump also decided on another native New Yorker for a…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Feds Recalling 512K Smart Space Heaters Sold Nationwide That Pose Burn, Overheating Risk Feds Recalling 512K Smart Space Heaters Sold Nationwide That Pose Burn, Overheating Risk
Feds Recalling 512K Smart Space Heaters Sold Nationwide That Pose Burn, Overheating Risk Hundreds of thousands of space heaters sold nationwide are being recalled due to fire and burn risks, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced this week. GoveeLife and Govee have issued a recall for approximately 512,500 smart electric space heaters in the US and 48,600 in Canada due to overheating, posing fire and burn hazards.  The recall involves models:  H7130 Recalled Model H7130 CPSC H7131 Recalled Model H7131 CPSC H7132 Recalled Model H7132 CPSC H7133 Recalled Model H7133 CPSC H7134 Recalled Model H7134 CPSC…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Trump Names UMD Grad, 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff Trump Names UMD Grad, 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff
Trump Names UMD Grad, 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff President-elect Donald J. Trump has appointed New Jersey native Susan "Susie" Summerall Wiles, the campaign manager of his successful 2024 presidential campaign, as his White House Chief of Staff, according to an announcement made Thursday, Nov. 7. It marks a historic milestone as she will become the first woman to hold the position in US history.  “Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in the press release. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, an…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study
Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study Feeling a bit anxious these days? You're not alone. A total of 61 percent of Americans say that the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 5 election has slightly, moderately, or significantly impacted their mental health, according to a brand-new poll published by Forbes Health. “I believe some people’s anxiety comes from past post-election results,” Dr. Rufus Tony Spann, a certified school psychologist and licensed professional counselor, told Forbes. “Based on the results of previous elections, some communities felt they needed to prepare for the backlash due to the results of an election.” About 2,00…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook
Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook AccuWeather meteorologists have just unveiled their forecast for the winter of 2024-25 and have released a map of where in the US the most snowfall is expected. In the image above, higher-than-average snowfall is predicted for those areas shown in light blue, with most areas in the Northeast are expected to receive more snow this season than last winter. Areas in the darker shade are expected to see below average snowfall in 2024-25, including in much of the Mid-Atlantic states. Click here for a new, related story: Winter 2024-25 Forecast Released By NOAA National Weather Service …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores 7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of stores in North America. Parent company Seven & I Holdings said that the 444 locations were “underperforming.” They make up about 3 percent of 7-Eleven's total of around 13,000 outlets in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Specific sites of the stores have not yet been released. In announcing the closures, the company said that 7-Eleven stores saw a 7.3 percent decline in traffic in August, saying a "pullback in consumer spending has persisted beyond prior expectations" that has affected store traffic and sales growth "as consu…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Here's Who Rank As The Richest Maryland Billionaires In New Forbes 400 Report Here's Who Rank As The Richest Maryland Billionaires In New Forbes 400 Report
Here's Who Rank As The Richest Maryland Billionaires In New Forbes 400 Report Former and current sports team owners are among the richest in Maryland, though everyone is still chasing the renowned Lerner family, according to Forbes' most recent ranking of the richest people in America. With an estimated net worth of $5.8 billion, 94-year-old Annette Lerner and her family, which owns the Washington Nationals, as well as Lerner Enterprises in Rockville, are the most wealthy in Maryland, the new report states, though they are being rapidly approached by other moguls in Maryland. According to the report, "Lerner Enterprises is among the largest owners of real estate in t…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
This Is Maryland's Most Wealthy Town, New Report States This Is Maryland's Most Wealthy Town, New Report States
This Is Maryland's Most Wealthy Town, New Report States Chevy Chase is more than just a comedic genius. It's also the home to Maryland's most wealthy neighborhood, according to a new ranking. Stacker.com released a new report regarding the most wealthy towns in the US, and the DC suburb earned top marks for its "peaceful, park-like community filled with amenities and conveniences."  The company used the most recent Census Bureau American Community Survey Five-Year Data (as of August) to determine the country's 50 most wealthy towns. Locations were ranked by median household income, with ties broken by the percentage of people annually…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs
Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its winter weather predictions for the 2024-25 season. This year's title speaks for itself: "The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac Forecasts a 'Calmer, Gentler' Winter." The Old Farmer's Almanac touts 80 percent accuracy in its forecasts dating back to 1792. Last year, it predicted a winter wonderland. Parts of the forecast seem to contradict the predictions of the Farmer's Almanac, which predicts this winter will be a wet one with "above-normal amounts of winter precipitation and near-to above-normal temperatures" in the Northeast. Snow will be mos…

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by Cecilia Levine
Politics
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump Robert F. Kennedy Jr., afraid of becoming a "spoiler," said he was suspending his independent presidential campaign and removing his name from the ballot in battleground states as he threw his support behind former President Donald Trump.  "I cannot in good conscience ask my staff to continue to work long hours or my donors to continue to give me their dollars if I believe I have no realistic path to the White House," the former Democrat said in a Friday, Aug. 23, press conference. He said he would remain on the ballot in states already assured to either Trump or Vice President Kamala …

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention
Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention Vice President Kamala Harris has ended weeks of speculation after naming Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  The 60-year-old Walz was a seemingly late entrant to the "veepstakes" but gained popularity after several media appearances went viral.  The chair of the Democratic Governor's Association, Walz was a US Congressman from 2007 to 2019. A former high school social studies teacher, he's served 24 years in the Army National Guard. Harris said she chose Walz because of his dedication to working-class families.  One of the things that stood out …

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee President Joe Biden has just announced he is pulling out of the 2024 race against Republican nominee Donald Trump. In a letter to "My Fellow Americans" released just before 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, Biden said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. “And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.” The news comes amid concerns over the 81-year-old Biden's health, which were loudly …

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate
Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate Former President Donald Trump unveiled his vice presidential running mate late Monday afternoon, July 15.  US Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, age 39, was announced as the pick by Trump on Truth Social just ahead of his appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The post reads as follows: "After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio. J.D. honorably served our Country in the Ma…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada
Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada The Costco Wholesale Corporation has announced membership hikes in the US and Canada for the first time in seven years, according to a news release by the company issued on Wednesday, July 10.  Costco opened the release sharing a June sales growth in the US of 5.6%, which is higher than the past 44 weeks of just 4.4%, the company experienced a decrease in revenue internationally.  On the heels of sharing that news, the company made the announcement about raising the membership fees in both the US and Canada beginning Sept. 1.  Annual memberships are rising $5 making them $65…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
FBI Investigators In Maryland Offer $10M Reward For Info On Russian Hacker Targeting Ukraine FBI Investigators In Maryland Offer $10M Reward For Info On Russian Hacker Targeting Ukraine
Amin Timovich Stigal Indicted For Cyber Crimes A massive reward has been offered by federal authorities in Maryland as they attempt to track down a man wanted for cyberattacks targeting Ukraine.  On Wednesday, June 26, a $10 million reward was offered by the FBI, which is looking to arrest 22-year-old Amin Timovich Stigal, who is among the agency's most wanted.  According to the feds, Stigal is wanted for his alleged involvement in criminal cyber activities between August of 2021 and February of 2022, during which he conspired to commit computer intrusions targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure. “Amin Timo…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster has abruptly closed dozens of locations across the United States. According to a Bloomberg, the fast-casual seafood restaurant has considered filing for bankruptcy. The following locations are listed as being temporarily closed on the Red Lobster website, with some set to be auctioned off. MD: Columbia, Laurel, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg NJ: Ledgewood, Lawrenceville, East Brunswick, Bridgewater PA: Erie VA: Newport News, Williamsburg, Colonial Heights TAGeX Brand, which bills itself as the world's largest after-marketplac…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Rare Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch Issued For First Time In Nearly 20 Years Rare Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch Issued For First Time In Nearly 20 Years
Rare Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch Issued For First Time In Nearly 20 Years You may soon get a view of a rare spectacle. According to the NOAA National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center, a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) began on Wednesday, May 8. CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. Space weather forecasters have issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the evening of Friday, May 10. It's the first time a G4 Watch has been issued since January 2005. The watch says CMEs may linger into Sunday, May 12. Geomagnetic storms can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora (…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says One of the nation's major oil companies says it will close 1,000 gas stations. Shell made the announcement in its 2024 Energy Transition Strategy report, saying the measure is “in response to customer needs” and aimed at reallocating those resources towards EV charging stations. Shell said it will close 500 stations in 2024 and the other 500 in 2025. "We believe growth in oil demand is set to slow in the second half of this decade and could start falling in the 2030s because of increasing vehicle efficiency and growth in electric vehicles," the company stated in the report. "Toda…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years' Coming Soon 'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years' Coming Soon
'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years' Coming Soon In just over a month, what's being called the astronomy event of the decade will occur when a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun and the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Many are planning road trips to places where the best viewing conditions are expected for what Space.com says will be "the longest and most visible for the US in 100 years," with a four-minute duration expected beginning…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Supplements Sold Nationwide Being Recalled Due To Presence Of 'Gas Station Heroin' In Products Supplements Sold Nationwide Being Recalled Due To Presence Of 'Gas Station Heroin' In Products
Supplements Sold Nationwide Being Recalled Due To Presence Of 'Gas Station Heroin' In Products Federal Health officials are cautioning consumers to avoid certain products that may contain an ingredient known as "gas station heroin."  Neptune Resources LLC announced a voluntary recall of all lots of "Neptune's Fix Elixir," "Neptune's Fix Extra Strength Elixir," and Neptune's Fix Tablets due to the possible presence of tianeptine, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. Tianeptine, which has been called "gas station heroin" by some, is not FDA-approved for any medical use, and its presence in the products prompted the nationwide recall. "The presence of tianepti…

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by Zak Failla
News
'International Fugitive' From MD Sentenced After Four Years On The Lam For Bail Violations 'International Fugitive' From MD Sentenced After Four Years On The Lam For Bail Violations
'International Fugitive' From MD Sentenced After Four Years On The Lam For Bail Violations Authorities say that a Maryland man who spent more than four years as an international fugitive attempting to avoid prosecution for stalking a younger co-worker will spend time behind bars. Ranjith Keerikkattil, 35, formerly of Catonsville, left the United States after being found guilty of stalking a junior co-worker before he was re-arrested four years later, authorities announced. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after being convicted and then failing to appear in court, according to the DOJ. Prosecutors said that Keeri…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Arlington Influencer Wanted By FBI Blames 'Naughty Americans' For Alleged Scam On Immigrants Arlington Influencer Wanted By FBI Blames 'Naughty Americans' For Alleged Scam On Immigrants
Arlington Influencer Wanted By FBI Blames 'Naughty Americans' For Alleged Scam On Immigrants A Brazilian influencer who federal officials said pretended to be an immigration lawyer to defraud clients out of nearly $700,000 says "naughty Americans" are actually the ones to blame. An indictment returned by a federal grand jury says 29-year-old Patricia De Oliveira Souza Lelis Bolin, of Arlington, posed as an immigration lawyer to help foreign clients obtain E-2 and EB-5 visas to the United States.  The EB-5 program provides lawful permanent residency, and possible citizenship, if a foreign national invests substantial funds—typically, a minimum of $1 million—in qualifying job-creatin…

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by Cecilia Levine