Maryland Mom Of 3 Dies After Rare Breast Cancer Battle: ‘She Was The Heart Of Her Family’ Maryland Mom Of 3 Dies After Rare Breast Cancer Battle: ‘She Was The Heart Of Her Family’
Maryland Mom Of 3 Dies After Rare Breast Cancer Battle: ‘She Was The Heart Of Her Family’ A Frederick County family is facing an unimaginable loss after Melanie Renae Acheampong, a 38-year-old mother of three, died following a courageous battle with triple-negative breast cancer, her loved ones confirmed. Acheampong passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2025, surrounded by her husband Yaw Acheampong, her parents Ed and Renae Tippett, her sisters, extended family, and close friends, according to the family.  “She was the heart of her family; a devoted wife to Yaw and a loving, hands-on mother to their three young children: Cameron, 8, Quentin, 6, and Mya,” organizers of a GoFundMe creat…
Taylor Swift's Neighbor, Distinguished PA Educator-Turned-Art Dealer Pleads Guilty In Art Scam Taylor Swift's Neighbor, Distinguished PA Educator-Turned-Art Dealer Pleads Guilty In Art Scam
Taylor Swift's Neighbor, Distinguished PA Educator-Turned-Art Dealer Pleads Guilty In Art Scam A former Hill School admissions director and neighbor of pop icon Taylor Swift pleaded guilty to selling fake artwork he falsely claimed was created by some of the world’s most legendary artists, federal authorities announced on Tuesday, June 3. Carter P. Reese, 77, of Reading, admitted in federal court on Thursday, May 29, to wire fraud and mail fraud for a two-year scheme that duped customers into buying forged works he said came from Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and others, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Once respect…
Fentanyl In School ‘Merits A Much Tougher Sentence’ Than What Virginia Teacher Got: Prosecutor Fentanyl In School ‘Merits A Much Tougher Sentence’ Than What Virginia Teacher Got: Prosecutor
Fentanyl In School ‘Merits A Much Tougher Sentence’ Than What Virginia Teacher Got: Prosecutor A Virginia teacher who brought fentanyl into a classroom and used it around children is headed to prison — but not for long, prosecutors say. Candyce Carter, the educator who used fentanyl in a Spotsylvania County classroom, has been sentenced to 39 years in prison, with 37 years suspended, according to the Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Carter was convicted of 16 counts of felony child abuse and neglect — one for each child in the class — as well as possession of a narcotic.  Prosecutors say she used fentanyl while teaching and endangered the lives of her students. H…
Virginia Teacher Killed When Tree Falls On Car 'Was Light In Every Room,' Family Says Virginia Teacher Killed When Tree Falls On Car 'Was Light In Every Room,' Family Says
Virginia Teacher Killed When Tree Falls On Car 'Was Light In Every Room,' Family Says She spent her life lifting up young minds — and her sudden loss has shaken a Virginia community to its core. Juliana Kai Russell, 27, a beloved business and information technology teacher at Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria, was killed when a tree fell onto her vehicle during the recent severe storms in Fairfax County, according to police and family. Officers with the Fairfax County Police Department responded on Friday, May 16 to the area of Frye Road and Pole Road in Woodlawn, where they found a 2020 Toyota Camry crushed under a fallen tree.  Russell, the driver, was found…
Pizza Hut Cooks Up New Digital Twist To Summer Reading Program Popular In 80s Pizza Hut Cooks Up New Digital Twist To Summer Reading Program Popular In 80s
Pizza Hut Cooks Up New Digital Twist To Summer Reading Program Popular In 80s If it seems like just about everything has an app these days, you can add Pizza Hut's iconic summer reading program to the list. Pizza Hut has launched its first BOOK IT! app, the restaurant chain said in a news release on Tuesday, May 27. The new app comes days before the summer reading program officially starts on Sunday, June 1. The app, now available in all app stores, lets parents set reading goals, track progress, and help their kids earn a free Personal Pan Pizza each month through August. "BOOK IT! has inspired a love for reading in millions of children since 1984," said Lucila Cue…
'We Want Those Names': Trump Demands Info On Harvard’s Foreign Students 'We Want Those Names': Trump Demands Info On Harvard’s Foreign Students
'We Want Those Names': Trump Demands Info On Harvard’s Foreign Students President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he wants the names and countries of origin of all foreign-born students enrolled at Harvard University, escalating his ongoing battle with the Ivy League school as it continues to unfold in the courts and the media. Last week, Trump sought to bar the Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ivy League school from enrolling international students, alleging the university promotes "rampant anti-American and antisemitic ideologies." However, on Friday, May 23, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking that attempt after Harvard’s atto…
DC Among World's Top 20 Cities In New Study: Here's Why DC Among World's Top 20 Cities In New Study: Here's Why
DC Among World's Top 20 Cities In New Study: Here's Why Two Northeast cities have been recognized among the 10 best in the world, according to a new study. Oxford Economics has released its 2025 Global Cities Index. New York City ranked No. 1 in the world for the second straight year, while Boston climbed into the global top 10 at No. 8 overall. The index evaluates 1,000 cities across five categories. The annual report scored cities on economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance. Researchers said the index helps guide decisions for investors and policymakers. "Leveraging our best-in-class urban economic for…
Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department
Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department In a decisive legal ruling, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education, mandating the reinstatement of employees who were terminated.  US District Judge Myong Joun of Massachusetts said the department cannot be shut down without Congressional approval. In his injunction, Joun also told the administration to reinstate Education Department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced on Tuesday, March 11, "to restore the Department to the status quo." President Trump issued an executive order on Thursda…
Virginia Elementary School Custodian Slapped 8-Year-Old In Cafeteria: Police Virginia Elementary School Custodian Slapped 8-Year-Old In Cafeteria: Police
Virginia Elementary School Custodian Slapped 8-Year-Old In Cafeteria: Police A Virginia elementary school custodian is facing charges after allegedly smacking an 8-year-old student in the cafeteria, according to Prince William County Police. Miguel Ismael Gonzales Carmona, 76, is accused of slapping the back of the boy’s head during a brief encounter at Henderson Elementary School in Dumfries on Friday, May 16.  The two reportedly separated after the incident, and the child told school staff what happened on Monday, May 19, police said.  No serious injuries were reported. Following the investigation, Carmona, a Dumfries resident, was arrested that same d…
Trump Jr. Draws Fire For Raising Questions About Biden Cancer Disclosure Trump Jr. Draws Fire For Raising Questions About Biden Cancer Disclosure
Trump Jr. Draws Fire For Raising Questions About Biden Cancer Disclosure Donald Trump Jr. has sparked controversy by suggesting news of former President Joe Biden's prostate cancer was hidden. “What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???” the first son wrote on both the Truth Social and X social media platforms. Biden was actually diagnosed with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), not Stage 5 cancer.  Biden's office said in a statement on Sunday, May 18, that he received the diagnosis on Friday, May 16, and that the cancer had spread to the bone. That came after a “small nodule” was fo…
Elmo's LinkedIn Goes Viral After Federal Layoff — Yes, You Read That Right Elmo's LinkedIn Goes Viral After Federal Layoff — Yes, You Read That Right
Elmo's LinkedIn Goes Viral After Federal Layoff — Yes, You Read That Right Even Elmo isn't immune to cuts by the Trump administration.  With the president canceling certain grants that will greatly impact PBS, the historic puppet is looking for a job, according to a hilarious — and sad — "LinkedIn" post that went viral on social media.  "Unfortunately, Elmo was recently laid off because of the federal budget cuts," the post on a since-deleted account reads. "Elmo worked at Sesame Street for 45 years. Elmo is sad. Elmo loved his time at Sesame Street."  Following President Trump signing an executive order to halt federal funding to PBS — the station that created a…
Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve' Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve'
Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve' Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he'll give away virtually all of his fortune and permanently close his foundation by the end of 2045. Gates announced his massive philanthropy plans in a blog post on his website on Thursday, May 8. The billionaire also said the third-largest charitable foundation in the world will be shuttered on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2045. The Seattle businessman said he'll donate more than $100 billion over the next 20 years in what he calls the "last chapter" of his career. The Gates Foundation was created in 2000 by Gates and his ex-wife Melinda Gates French. …