Find Your Daily Voice
37°
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.…
NYU Wrestling Captain Battles Brain Cancer With Unbreakable Spirit
Benny Bautista isn’t new to tough battles.
The 21-year-old captain of the NYU wrestling team and Paramus Catholic grad has spent years facing challenges on the mat. But now, Bautista, of Montvale, NJ, is up against something even tougher: Grade 3 Oligodendroglioma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer.
Despite the diagnosis that came just after New Year's, Bautista's unwavering spirit and selflessness have not faltered. For his teammates, Bautista is more than just a leader—he’s the glue that holds them together.
"When I think of altruism, I think of Benny," said Danny Lightfoot, team …
32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among At Least 11 Killed In LA Wildfires
A former child star and motivational speaker is among the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, his family has confirmed.
Click here for a new, updated story - Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed
Rory Sykes, 32, an Australian who gained media attention as a boy for sharing his experiences living with disabilities, died on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at his family’s estate in Malibu, his mother, Shelley Sykes, announced in a post on X.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yeste…
Albany Driver, 24, Was On Phone In Deadly I-90 Wreck: State Police
An Albany man has been arrested in connection with a collision on I-90 in Canajoharie that killed a 61-year-old Rome resident earlier this month, State Police said.
Jose M. Prieto Cole, 24, was taken into custody on Jan. 9, following an investigation into the Jan. 4 incident that left David Bonaparte, 61, dead, police said.
According to State Police, Bonaparte’s vehicle had experienced a mechanical brake issue, causing him to stop on the shoulder of the roadway. He exited the vehicle and was struck by a westbound car driven by Prieto Cole.
Investigators determined that Prieto Cole was alle…
Armed Man Leads High-Speed Pursuit Across State Lines, Crashes In NY
A Troy man faces a long list of charges after a multi-state police chase that started in Vermont ended in a crash and his arrest in Queensbury, NY, authorities said.
On Thursday, Jan. 9, at approximately 12:54 p.m., New York State Police joined the pursuit of a vehicle that had fled a traffic stop in Vermont and evaded multiple law enforcement agencies in both Vermont and New York. The vehicle was first reported traveling on State Route 4 toward Whitehall, NY.
Troopers located the vehicle in Fort Ann, NY, and attempted to stop it. However, the driver refused to comply, initiating a high-spe…
Biden Extends Deportation Protections Ahead Of Trump Inauguration
In a last-minute move, President Joe Biden extended deportation protections on for approximately 900,000 immigrants from countries facing conflict or instability, including Venezuela, Ukraine, El Salvador, and Sudan.
The decision, announced on Friday, Jan. 10, shields these individuals from deportation and allows them to work legally in the US for the first 18 months of the incoming Trump administration.
Biden’s action utilizes Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program granting renewable 18-month protections for individuals from countries deemed unsafe due to armed c…
Another Doc On NY Native Diddy Sets Premiere Date: 'I Kept Quiet For 18 Years'
A new docuseries exploring allegations against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is set to premiere this month, shedding light on decades of troubling claims surrounding the New York native.
Investigation Discovery (ID) announced that "The Fall of Diddy," a multi-part docuseries chronicling Combs' meteoric rise in music and entertainment and his allegations of sexual assault, violence, and other misconduct, will air on Monday, Jan. 27, and Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT.
Born in Harlem and raised in the Westchester County city of Mount Vernon, Combs, age 55, be…
This Virus With No Vaccine Causes Symptoms Similar To Cold: Here's What To Know
A virus causing cold-like symptoms is making its seasonal rounds, and health officials are urging everyone to take preventive measures.
With no vaccines or specific treatments currently available, vigilance is key to avoiding infection of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is key.
HMPV, according to the Cleveland Clinic, usually causes symptoms similar to a cold, such as coughing, a runny nose, or a sore throat.
However, certain groups—young children, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems—are at higher risk for severe complications, including lung infe…
Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In Mid-Atlantic
Kohl’s announced Thursday, Jan. 9, the closure of 27 underperforming stores, including locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia, as part of its 2025 real estate changes.
The closures are expected to be finalized by April 2025 and are part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its store portfolio while adapting to evolving consumer trends. Among the affected locations are stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Pennsylvania
Pottstown – 351 W Schuylkill Rd.
New Jersey
East Windsor – 72 Princeton Hightstown Rd.
Massachusetts
Stoug…
Mall Brand Merger: JCPenney Unites With Forever 21, Aeropostale, Brooks Brothers Operator
JCPenney is merging with a company that owns several other retailers that have also struggled as malls have declined in popularity across the U.S.
The 123-year-old department store chain and SPARC Group have combined to form Catalyst Brands, the new company said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 8. SPARC Group is the operator of stores including Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Forever 21, Lucky Brand, and Nautica.
Former JCPenney CEO Marc Rosen will become the CEO of Catalyst Brands, which boasts more than $9 billion of revenue and about 60,000 employees at …