Driver dies after vehicle strikes tree in Bradley, child injured – NBC Chicago

The church where Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, attended mass as a child is now in disrepair, reflecting the declining influence of the Catholic Church in urban America. Despite the church's state, local Catholics express excitement over having an American pope from Chicago, hoping his leadership will rejuvenate the faith amid declining attendance and ongoing scandals. As preparations for a special mass unfold, the community remembers Leo XIV’s humble beginnings and anticipates his...

A Florida woman, 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema, was killed by an alligator while canoeing with her husband near Lake Kissimmee in Polk County. The couple's canoe tipped over after hitting the alligator, and despite her husband's efforts to save her, Diekema was bitten and her body was later recovered. Wildlife officials are investigating the incident, noting that deadly alligator attacks are rare, and they advise the public to stay away from water edges to reduce risks....

A grand jury in Hanceville, Alabama, has ordered the dismissal of nearly 60 felony cases due to a "rampant culture of corruption" within the local police department, which led to the indictment of four officers and the police chief for evidence mishandling. The audit revealed serious documentation failures, with significant amounts of evidence missing, prompting Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker to state that even one compromised case is unacceptable. Following polarized community debates, Hanceville's...

An Iranian mechanical engineering student, Alireza Doroudi, chose to self-deport after being detained for six weeks in a Louisiana facility, despite the U.S. government dropping a charge related to his arrest. Initially detained under national security concerns, his visa was revoked without explanation, and he was unable to secure bond, leading to his decision to leave rather than face indefinite detention. His attorney criticized the process as a denial of due process, while Doroudi's fiancée...

A woman named Victoria Vidal was arrested after her pet raccoon, Chewy, was discovered in the driver's seat of her car holding a meth pipe during a traffic stop in Ohio. Upon detaining Vidal, officers found a significant amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in her vehicle. She faces multiple drug-related charges and was turned over to Cuyahoga Falls Police for an active warrant, while Chewy was unharmed and confirmed to have valid ownership documentation....

Stabbing Incident at Santa Ana High SchoolIn a tragic incident outside Santa Ana High School in Southern California, one student was killed and two others were injured in a stabbing that occurred shortly after school dismissal. The deceased, a 14-year-old boy, succumbed to his injuries, while a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old were hospitalized in stable condition; the attack is believed to be gang-related. Two classmates, aged 15 and 17, were arrested and charged with murder...