WEATHER ALERT
Militia leader gets 53 years in Minnesota mosque bombing
Read full article: Militia leader gets 53 years in Minnesota mosque bombingThe leader of an Illinois anti-government militia group who authorities say masterminded the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque has been sentenced to 53 years in prison for civil rights and hate crimes.
Government rushes virus gene-mapping as mutations spread
Read full article: Government rushes virus gene-mapping as mutations spreadThe U.S. is scrambling to expand DNA mapping of coronavirus samples to identify potentially deadlier mutations starting to spread around the country. But the more significant action is on Capitol Hill, where a House bill headed for floor debate would provide $1.75 billion for genomic sequencing. The U.S. now maps only the genetic makeup of a minuscule fraction of positive virus samples, a situation some experts liken to flying blind. Baldwin says the U.S. should be analyzing at least 15% of positive virus samples. “Genomic sequencing testing is how we will spot variants early before they spread,” said White House COVID response coordinator Jeff Zients.
Prosecutors: Man's hatred was behind Minnesota mosque attack
Read full article: Prosecutors: Man's hatred was behind Minnesota mosque attackSeveral men were gathered at Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center for early morning prayers on Aug. 5, 2017, when a pipe bomb was thrown through the window of an imam’s office. Prosecutors said Hari — the leader of an anti-government group called the White Rabbits — came up with the plan for the attack. Hari's attorney, James Becker, told jurors that prosecutors have no meaningful forensic evidence that points to Hari's involvement in the attack. Ethen also described the fear that permeated the community that worships at the mosque, and said the attack led many to stop worshipping there. “The detonation of that bomb shattered the Dar Al-Farooq community,” Ethen said.
Ukrainian Orphan Tells Dr. Phil She Is Not a Woman Masquerading as a Child
Read full article: Ukrainian Orphan Tells Dr. Phil She Is Not a Woman Masquerading as a ChildUkranian orphan Natalia Grace Barnett , whose former adoptive parents say is a grown woman posing as a child, is now defending herself in public, telling Dr. Phil the allegations are false. Natalia was adopted in 2000 by an Indiana couple who say they were told she was 6 years old. But the couple claimed earlier this year that she is really a 30-year-old woman and a "sociopath" who threatened to kill them. Speaking publicly for the first time, a teary Barnett told syndicated talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw in an interview that aired Thursday that those accusations aren't "true at all." Appearing with Antwon and Cynthia Mans, with whom she is now living, Barnett said her former adoptive parents are mistaken.
Celebrities, others ask Texas to halt inmate's execution
Read full article: Celebrities, others ask Texas to halt inmate's executionReed says Fennell was angry because Stites, who was white, was having an affair with Reed, who is black. Reed's efforts to stop his execution have received support from such celebrities as Rihanna, Dr. Phil and Kim Kardashian West, who last month in a tweet asked Texas Gov. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals last month denied Reed's request for a stay of his execution. An online petition asking Abbott to stop Reed's execution has garnered significant support. He has granted just one reprieve to stop an execution since he came to office in January 2015.