Texas Mother Arrested for Allegedly Aiding Son’s School Attack Plot

A couple in Camden County, New Jersey, has been arrested after their 18-year-old captive managed to escape and report years of abuse, including being forced to live in a dog cage, according to local authorities. The prosecutor stated that Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41, face multiple charges, including kidnapping and aggravated assault, following the victim's disclosure of her harrowing experiences after her escape on May 8. The victim, who was removed from school by Spencer approximately seven years ago, reportedly endured confinement in a dog crate for about a year and was later held in a padlocked bathroom. It was reported that she was only let out during family visits, while being beaten and facing sexual abuse by Mosley. In addition, detectives have learned that another 13-year-old girl lived in the same household under similar distressing conditions, also taken out of school years prior. The authorities described the living conditions as "squalid," where the victim was housed with animals and had limited access to sanitation. The case continues to develop as investigations proceed. ###

A recent study suggests that substantial reservoirs of hydrogen may be hidden beneath the Earth's crust, with enough hydrogen produced over the last billion years to meet global energy needs for up to 170,000 years. This finding, published in *Nature Reviews Earth and Environment*, highlights that geological conditions across at least 30 U.S. states could harbor natural hydrogen accumulations, potentially accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels. Chris Ballentine, lead author and geochemistry professor at the University of Oxford, indicated that specific geological features, including ophiolitic landscapes and igneous rock formations, are of great interest for exploration. Kansas and a recent site in Albania have been identified as prime locations for potential hydrogen sources. The conditions necessary for hydrogen formation include a source of hydrogen, reservoir rocks, and natural seals to trap the gas. The study's co-author, Jon Gluyas from Durham University, emphasized that understanding these geological conditions is crucial for guiding exploration strategies, potentially leading to cleaner hydrogen production methods with a smaller carbon footprint.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a dramatic 27% decrease in U.S. drug overdose deaths for 2024, with approximately 80,000 fatalities compared to 110,000 in 2023. This represents the largest one-year decline in recorded history. Almost all states saw reductions, except for Nevada and South Dakota, which experienced slight increases. Experts attribute the decrease to multiple factors, including improved access to naloxone, expanded addiction treatment options, and shifts in drug usage trends. Furthermore, significant settlements from opioid manufacturers, promising about $50 billion to combat addiction issues, have contributed to increasing resources for prevention and treatment programs. Despite these improvements, overdose deaths remain higher than pre-COVID levels, with the CDC noting that such incidents continue to be the leading cause of death among individuals aged 18 to 44. Public health advocates caution that decreased federal funding and support could reverse this trend. Experts emphasize that sustained effort and resources are needed to combat the ongoing crisis effectively.