BlackRock CEO Warns of U.S. Retirement Crisis: Relying Solely on Social Security Leads to Poverty

Los Angeles police are investigating a felony hit-and-run that left a man in his 60s critically injured in Tarzana. The incident occurred around 9:25 AM on Monday at Reseda Boulevard and Clark Street, where security footage shows a black Ford F-150 striking the pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the driver exited the vehicle momentarily to inspect the injured man, who was lying face down in the street, but did not provide any assistance or identify himself. After a brief observation, the driver returned to his truck and fled the scene. The suspect is described as a man wearing a blue jacket, dark pants, and a baseball cap. The LAPD is urging anyone with relevant information to contact the Valley Traffic Division. Authorities also noted that California law requires drivers to render aid in such situations. Witnesses report seeing trash bins and furniture in the truck's bed, which may help in identifying the vehicle. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered for information leading to the suspect’s apprehension.

Imagine Kay Ewer, a 28-year-old paraprofessional from Colorado, has been sentenced to four years in prison for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old special needs student and exploiting him for money. According to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Ewer manipulated the boy into believing he was "the one" and introduced him to dangerous drugs, including fentanyl. Prosecutors detailed that Ewer sent the student thousands of explicit texts and instructed him to bring a gun to school with the intent to harm a fellow teacher. The disturbing relationship came to light after a teacher noticed inappropriate hints in a classroom assignment, prompting an investigation by the Lakewood Police Department. During her court appearance, Ewer expressed remorse, stating, “I’m really sorry; this will never happen again.” Ewer pled guilty to charges of sexual assault on a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, while three other felony counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Following her prison term, she will face at least 10 years of sexual offender probation, which could extend to life, depending on her success in treatment programs.

Scientists have raised concerns over the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) promotion of sewage sludge as fertilizer, despite discovering high levels of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the mid-2000s. According to a report by The New York Times, researchers from 3M revealed in 2003 that these "forever chemicals," which do not break down in the environment, were accumulating in sludge meant for agricultural use. The EPA has yet to mandate testing for PFAS in sewage sludge, allowing its continued use without adequate safeguards. Only Maine has enacted systematic testing for such contamination. Critics, including former EPA microbiologist David Lewis, warn that these substances pose serious health risks, including cancer and immune system suppression, as they seep into soil and crops. Although the EPA has classified certain PFAS as hazardous in drinking water, it has not addressed their presence in fertilizers. As states like Oklahoma consider similar bans to Maine's, the push for regulatory reform is gaining momentum, reflecting growing public concern over food safety and environmental health.