Flash Flooding in Malibu Sweeps Firefighter's Vehicle into Ocean

A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Lantz, has been sentenced to a combined total of 375 years in prison for the severe abuse of their five adopted Black children. The couple, aged 63 and 62 respectively, targeted the children, aged 6 to 16, after adopting them from a shelter for vulnerable youth. Prosecutors revealed that the children were forced into slave labor on their farm and often deprived of basic needs. The prosecution's case was bolstered by a 2023 report from a concerned neighbor, prompting an investigation by Child Protective Services. Deputies discovered two children locked in a shed without running water, while others were found in similarly dire conditions, wearing dirty clothes. After a jury found them guilty in January on multiple counts, including human trafficking and violating civil rights, sentencing was delivered by Judge MaryClaire Akers, who described the couple's actions as creating "hell" for the children. Whitefeather received a 215-year sentence while Lantz was sentenced to 160 years. They were also ordered to pay $280,000 in restitution to each victim.

Recent analysis indicates that China has overtaken the United States as the dominant force in global shipbuilding, alarming Pentagon officials due to America's increasing dependency on Chinese-built vessels. According to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the U.S. commercial shipbuilding sector accounted for merely 0.11% of the global total in 2024, marking a sharp decline in its industry presence. Once the preeminent naval power, the U.S. Navy had 282 battle-force ships two decades ago compared to China's 220. However, the current numbers have shifted drastically, with China boasting approximately 400 ships compared to the U.S. fleet of 295, highlighting a significant change in maritime military balance. Japan and South Korea, previously leaders in shipbuilding, are now struggling to maintain competitiveness against the rapid advancements and expansion of China's shipbuilding capabilities, as noted in the same CSIS report. The implications of this shift could impact both military and commercial maritime strategies for the U.S. and its allies.

Republican Senator Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids resigned on March 20, 2025, amid allegations of soliciting sex from a minor. Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson confirmed the acceptance of Eichorn’s resignation, stating, “This is the right thing to do for his family and the Senate," according to local reports. Eichorn, 40, faces a charge of attempting to pay for sex with someone under 18, alongside federal charges for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. His arrest followed a sting operation in Bloomington, where an undercover officer posed as a 17-year-old girl and posted advertisements offering prostitution services. Eichorn allegedly engaged in multiple attempts to arrange a meeting with the purported minor, even after being informed of her age. During his arrest, police found two cell phones, a condom, and $129 in cash inside his vehicle. Eichorn has served two terms as a state senator and currently represents Senate District 6, encompassing parts of Itasca, Cass, and Crow Wing counties. Minnesota law prohibits hiring individuals for sexual conduct when believed to be under 18.