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DNA analysis contributes to murder charges in 1993 killing of Tampa-area girl, authorities say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

(CNN) — A Florida man has been charged with murder in the 1993 death of 12-year-old Jennifer Odom, a Tampa-area girl who had disappeared after getting off her school bus, authorities said Thursday.A grand jury indicted Jeffrey Norman Crum, 61, on charges of murder, kidnapping and sexual battery in connection with Odom’s killing, Bill Gladson, state attorney for Florida’s 5th judicial circuit, said in a news conference.Crum has been in prison since 2019, serving two life sentences for sexual battery in a separate case, according to state prison records. CNN has not been able to identify legal representation for him.Investigators identified Crum as a suspect in Odom’s killing after noticing significant similarities between the circumstances of her death and the details of a separate case in which Crum was identified as a suspect through DNA analysis, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said.Odom was abducted in February 1993 after stepping off her school bus in Pasco County north of T...

Taylor Swift fans ‘Shake It Off,’ causing record-breaking seismic activity during Seattle shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

(CNN) — Taylor Swift fans are in their record-breaking era.After two nights of earth-shaking dancing at Swift’s Seattle “Eras” tour concert at Lumen Field, enthusiastic Swifties caused seismic activity equivalent of a 2.3 magnitude earthquake, according to seismologist Jackie Caplan-Auerbach.The “Swift Quake” has been compared to the 2011 “Beast Quake,” when Seattle Seahawks fans erupted after an impressive touchdown by running back Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch. The ensuing celebration was detected on the same local seismometer as the Swift concert, Caplan-Auerbach told CNN.Caplan-Auerbach, who works as a geology professor at Western Washington University, saw the comparison in a Pacific Northwest earthquake group she moderates on Facebook and immediately got to work.“I grabbed the data from both nights of the concert and quickly noticed they were clearly the same pattern of signals,” she said, adding, “If I overlay them on top of each other, they’re nearly identical.”The main differ...

Florida women arrested after violent altercation; One bites off the other’s ear in argument over stolen alcohol and vape pens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

CALLOWAY, Fla. (WSVN) – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of two adult females in connection with a disturbing altercation that took place on July 4 at a house party. The incident resulted in a physical fight, during which one woman bit off the top of the other’s ear following an argument over stolen alcohol and vape pens.The investigation revealed that the altercation occurred at 6526 Olokee St. in Calloway, Florida, where an unsupervised house party was underway with several minors in attendance. Just after midnight, a confrontation erupted in the yard of the party, involving multiple men.Macy Regan, 23, attempted to leave the party and head to her residence at 6530 Olokee St. However, she was confronted by Dixie Stiles, 18, who was attending the party. Stiles accused Regan of stealing alcohol and vape pens.In response to the accusation, Regan reached for a 9MM handgun from her waistband. Stiles quickly intervened, pushing the firearm away and engagi...

McDonald’s teases new CosMc’s restaurant concept

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

New York (CNN) — McDonald’s is planning to test out a new restaurant idea, called “CosMc’s.”CosMc’s is named for a little-known McDonald’s character. He is an alien.“CosMc’s is a small format concept with all the DNA of McDonald’s but its own unique personality,” CEO Chris Kempczinski said during an analyst call discussing the company’s second-quarter financial results, adding that there will be more details to share during the company’s investor day at the end of this year. McDonald’s is planning to start testing the concept in a handful of locations next year.McDonald’s has previously experimented with smaller restaurant concepts like McDonald’s Express, though it is unclear if CosMc’s will follow in those footsteps.Lately, McDonald’s has had good luck with its characters — particularly Grimace, whose limited-time purple shake created a viral sensation on TikTok.When McDonald’s introduced the shake in honor of Grimace’s birthday, it probably didn’t expect the item t...

Africa to Putin: End the war!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

African leaders issued a direct appeal on Friday to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his war against Ukraine. “This war must end. And it can only end on the basis of justice and reason,” Moussa Faki Mahamat — foreign minister of Chad and current African Union Commission chairman — told Putin on the second day of a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg.Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso said an African peace plan “deserves the closest attention, it mustn’t be underestimated … We once again urgently call for the restoration of peace in Europe.” Senegal’s President Macky Sall also called for “a de-escalation to help create calm,” while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he hoped that “constructive engagement and negotiation” could end the conflict.In response to the forceful African demands, Putin said: “We respect your initiatives and we are examining them carefully.”In mid-June, Rama...

UK green groups warn Sunak over climate backsliding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

More than 50 U.K. environmental groups have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressing “deep alarm” at the government’s “watering down” of climate and nature goals.In their letter, the organizations, who between them claim 20 million supporters, called on Sunak to issue “public reassurances” about the government’s direction on environmental policies. Signatories include the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Trust, the Green Alliance and WWF UK.Sunak’s government has come under fire from campaigners in recent weeks who have questioned his commitment to the climate agenda.The campaign groups list the government’s support for continued oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and accusations by a former minister that the U.K. will not meet a key international climate finance commitment. This week, Conservative MPs also questioned the U.K.’s flagship target of banning new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, while the government watered down energy efficiency...

A gap remains between Bruins and Jeremy Swayman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

As they inch toward Sunday’s scheduled arbitration hearing, the Bruins and restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman are $2.8 million apart on what they think the 24-year-old goalie is worth.In the pre-hearing filings, the B’s offered $2 million while Swayman’s camp came in at $4.8 million, according to Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman.Unlike baseball arbitration, which calls for the awarding of one number or the other, a middle ground can be found in NHL arbitration.That’s what happened in a comparable arbitration case last week with Toronto goalie Ilya Samsonov. The Maple Leafs had an offer of $2.4 million and Samsonov’s camp filed at $4.8 million. The arbitrator gave Samsonov a $3.55 million salary.In 37 appearances last season, Swayman had a 24-6-4 record with a .920 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average. Swayman’s career marks are 54-23-7, .920 and 2.24. Samsonov’s record last season was 27-10-5 with a .919 save percentage and 2.3...

Tyngsboro daycare case: Ex-NH state rep charged with exploitation of children pleads not guilty, goes into federal detention

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

The former New Hampshire lawmaker accused of working with an ex-romantic partner and daycare worker to trade child pornography has pleaded not guilty to the three charges of sexual exploitation of children and has entered federal custody.Stacie Marie Laughton, who identifies as a transgender woman, appeared in federal court in Boston Friday morning following an indictment the day before charging both Laughton and the former daycare worker, Lindsay Groves, with multiple counts related to child pornography.Like Groves at her arraignment and detention hearing earlier this month, Laughton wore an orange Hillsboro County Department of Corrections jumpsuit, as Laughton was being held in New Hampshire on related state charges. That changed Friday when Laughton entered federal custody.“Your honor, Ms. Laughton would like to consent to voluntary detention at this time,” defense attorney Jessica Hedges said.Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell agreed to the detention and a U.S. Marsh...

Emmys postponed by writer, actor strikes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Emmy Awards are reportedly getting pushed back and won’t air on Sep. 18 due to a pair of high-profile entertainment industry labor strikes.The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards was poised to air on Fox but has been postponed from its original mid-September airdate, according to multiple reports.The delay is due to strikes by both SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America (WGA). SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ guild, began a strike for higher wages and better compensation for streaming productions, among other issues, earlier this month. The WGA has been on strike over similar demands since May. Tiffany and Co.’s new Beyoncé collection set to benefit HBCUs It’s the first time in more than two decades that the Emmys have been postponed, according to Variety, which was the first to report the awards show’s delay on Thursday. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the United States invasion of Afghanistan two months later delayed the Emmys that year until November.A...

5 San Diego-area spas offering deals during National Wellness Month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:14 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- In need of some rest and relaxation? National Wellness Month, which takes place in August, encourages prioritizing your self-care, managing stress and promoting healthy routines. This is the most affordable housing market among San Diego metro’s largest cities: report Here is a list of five spas offering deals for National Wellness Month where you can enjoy the coastal vibes while getting your mind and body right. SpaTerre at Kona Kai San DiegoSpaTerre (SpaTerre)Receive a $20 credit or join six-month membership program to gain exclusive perks for members and their loved ones at the Shelter Island spa.Spa Brezza at San Diego Mission Bay ResortSpa Brezza (Spa Brezza)Residents will be able to receive access to the pool, spa amenities and parking with the purchase of either a 50-minute Noble Massage, Gentle Prenatal Massage or Pure Results Facial for $135 from Wednesday - Friday and Sunday.Spa Estancia at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & SpaEsta...