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CIS Study: Non-Citizen Households Use Welfare at Higher Rates Than U.S.-Born Households in Nearly Every State
A new analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies found that 47% of non-citizen-headed households used at least one means-tested welfare program, compared to 28% of U.S.-born-headed households. The study drew on five years of Census Bureau data and found the gap persisted across nearly every state, with the largest disparities in New York, Massachusetts, and California. The findings reignite a long-running debate over immigration and public benefit usage, though the methodology has been contested by other researchers.
Pilot Killed in Small Plane Crash Near Twin Oaks Airpark in Washington County, Oregon
A small two-seater experimental plane crashed into a grassy field near Twin Oaks Airpark in Hillsboro, Oregon on Friday afternoon, killing its sole occupant. The crash occurred during takeoff and sparked a grass fire that spread to a nearby field before firefighters contained it. The NTSB and FAA are investigating the cause, and flights at the airpark were canceled for the remainder of the day.
Ohio Police Chief Arrested in Florida on 70-Count Child Sex Indictment
Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert, 44, was arrested Tuesday night in Seminole, Florida, following a Clermont County grand jury indictment on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The alleged offenses occurred between 2005 and 2010, when Essert was an instructor with the Young Marines program and a teacher at Scarlet Oaks Career Campus in Sharonville, Ohio. If convicted on all counts, Essert faces a maximum of 280 years in prison, and authorities are urging any additional potential victims to come forward.
Hebrew Union College Seeks Dismissal of Ohio Lawsuit, Citing First Amendment Religious Protections
Hebrew Union College filed a motion Friday to dismiss Ohio's lawsuit over its plan to close degree-granting programs at its historic Cincinnati campus, arguing the suit unconstitutionally entangles government in religious affairs. The state attorney general's office had sued HUC, claiming it violated nonprofit law and misled donors by winding down Cincinnati operations in favor of its New York and Los Angeles campuses. The case raises significant questions about the limits of state oversight over religious nonprofit institutions.
1 Dead, 22 Injured After Tent Collapse During Outdoor Church Service in Bedford County, Virginia
A large tent collapsed during an outdoor anniversary service at EastLake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia on Friday evening, killing one person and injuring 22 others. The collapse occurred around 6:45 p.m. after a severe storm cell brought heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds through the area; the tent had been inspected and passed by Bedford County building officials earlier in the week. The incident was classified as a mass casualty event and highlights the dangers of large outdoor gatherings during rapidly developing severe weather.
ICE Detention Cases Draw Scrutiny: Haitian Woman's Death Ruled Homicide, Veteran's Wife Detained
A Pennsylvania medical examiner ruled the death of Haitian woman Daphy Michel a homicide after she died of hypothermia days following her release from ICE custody, while separately a retired U.S. Army veteran is urging ICE to release his detained Honduran wife. Michel, described as a vulnerable adult with untreated mental illness and a language barrier, died on March 2, three days after being released with an ankle monitor. The two cases highlight growing scrutiny of ICE detention and release practices under the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.
California Cult Leader Sentenced to 225 Years to Life for Child Molestation and Rape of Followers
Sansue Bee Vang, 58, leader of a Hmong religious organization in Oroville, California, was sentenced to 225 years to life after being convicted of eight counts of child molestation and three counts of rape against six followers. Vang founded the group Kev Ntseeg Leej Niam Kee Tiam Vaj Lis Thum, which translates loosely to 'Belief in the Mother,' and used his religious authority to silence victims for years. The case has renewed scrutiny of California's elder parole law, which could make Vang eligible for early release in as few as 20 years.
Spencer Pratt Claims Office Fire Was Arson, Alleges Political Retaliation After LA Mayoral Primary Loss
A fire broke out Thursday at Spencer Pratt's Pacific Palisades office, which he alleges was deliberate arson connected to his mayoral campaign. Pratt, who finished third in the LA mayoral primary behind incumbent Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman, has been escalating political attacks on both candidates. The incident adds a new dimension to Pratt's ongoing campaign against what he calls a corrupt political machine in Los Angeles.
WABC Anchor Bill Ritter Steps Down After Early-Stage Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Veteran ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter, 76, announced on Friday's 6 p.m. broadcast that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and is stepping down from the anchor desk. Ritter has been with WABC-TV since 1998 and anchored the station's 6 p.m. newscast since 2001, making him one of New York's longest-serving local news anchors. He will remain with the station in a new role focused on reporting about Alzheimer's disease, its impact on patients and families, and the affordability of care.
Louisiana man charged after allegedly giving abortion pill to pregnant woman without consent
Jamelle Kelly, 39, of Carencro, Louisiana, was arrested on felony charges after allegedly administering mifepristone to a pregnant woman without her knowledge, triggering an emergency C-section at 23 weeks gestation. The infant, weighing approximately one pound, survived but remains hospitalized. The case has reignited debate over FDA regulations requiring in-person visits before mifepristone prescriptions can be issued.
Trump Administration Bans Statistical 'Noise' from Census Bureau, Raising Data Availability Concerns
The Commerce Department has issued an order banning the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis from using 'noise infusion,' a key privacy protection technique that obscures individual identities in statistical data. The bureau has used noise infusion for decades to release detailed local and demographic data while complying with federal confidentiality laws, and the ban leaves agencies with only two alternatives: releasing coarser, less detailed statistics or withholding data entirely. Data experts warn the change could eliminate neighborhood-level and rural community data, render 2030 census redistricting data unusable, and potentially compromise the privacy of survey respondents.
Federal Judge Eleanor Ross Issues Second Apology After Initial Letters Deemed Inadequate
Federal Judge Eleanor Ross of Atlanta has issued an apology letter acknowledging her misconduct following a judicial disciplinary process within the Eleventh Circuit. Ross had previously been found to have engaged in sexual conduct in her chambers and made false statements during the investigation, before ultimately receiving a private reprimand. The case has drawn scrutiny over whether the judicial misconduct process applies consistent standards across different judges.