Alec Baldwin has seen a legal victory after a firearm enhancement charge was dropped from one of his involuntary manslaughter charges. The charge could have made the crime punishable by a mandatory sentence of five years in jail, but First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies dropped the charge. Baldwin still faces two charges of involuntary manslaughter and is due back in court on June 7th. His legal team is confident that he will be exonerated of all charges.
News Mash
On Monday, a magnitude 6.3 aftershock struck the Syria-Turkey border, causing panic and damaging buildings in the nearby city of Antakya. Eight people were injured and three people were killed, according to Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay. The aftershock comes two weeks after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake killed 46,000 people and injured more than 1,000 in the same region. The USGS is continuing to monitor the situation and provide updates.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a man in connection with the shooting death of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell. Detectives identified the suspect through technical means and located and detained him without incident. O’Connell was a beloved figure in the community, known for his work as a “peacemaker” and for his dedication to the Catholic Church. The Sheriff’s Department is expected to provide further details on the arrest at a news conference Monday afternoon.
U.S. President Joe Biden visited Kyiv, Ukraine on February 20th to show support for the country and reaffirm the United States' commitment to Ukraine. During the meeting, Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the ongoing conflict and Biden expressed his support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The visit was seen as a sign of solidarity between the two countries and a reminder of the United States' commitment to standing up for its allies and partners.
Roald Dahl's works have recently been met with criticism due to changes made to the language in current editions of his books. Writers such as Salman Rushdie have expressed anger at the changes, while the Roald Dahl Story Company has defended them, citing their commitment to diversity and inclusion. This has sparked a debate about censorship and the changing language of literature.
A 4-foot alligator was discovered in Brooklyn's Prospect Park by a park maintenance staff member on Sunday. It is believed to be suffering from cold shock due to its native warm, tropical climate, and it is unclear how it ended up in the park. The alligator is now being evaluated and cared for by the Animal Care Centers of NYC, and the public is being reminded that it is illegal to keep wild animals as pets.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has issued a stern warning to the CEO of Norfolk Southern, a freight rail company, after a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, released hazardous chemicals into the environment. He has called on the company to take responsibility for its actions and to do whatever it takes to stop putting communities at risk. The incident is still under investigation, and it is unclear what caused the derailment. Norfolk Southern has yet to comment on the incident or on Buttigieg's letter.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) has indicated that he would consider not running for president in 2024 if his candidacy would help former President Donald Trump's chances of winning re-election. Hogan, an outspoken critic of Trump, has been vocal in his criticism of the former president and the Republican Party's direction in recent years. His comments suggest that he could be a key figure in the 2024 presidential race, depending on the outcome of the next election.