Browse

Latest Headlines

Fresh headlines, crisp visuals — faster reading.

Teen Lifeguard's Heroic Act Could Lead to White House Honors New

Teen Lifeguard's Heroic Act Could Lead to White House Honors

California’s teenage lifeguard hero could soon be headed to the White House.The family of 16-year-old Ryder Williams has been contacted by President Donald Trump’s staff after the commander-in-chief vowed to honor the rookie rescuer who saved a drowning 10-year-old boy from pounding surf.Ryder became an overnight hero on July 25. Instagram/santacruznowRyder’s proud father also welcomed the president’s recognition of his son. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin“The White House has contacted us but there’s been no official date or time,” Ryder’s father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, 54, told The California Post on Saturday.Trump announced the invitation after video of Ryder’s dramatic rescue at Seabright Beach went viral, saying he plans to welcome the teen and his family to Washington, DC, and personally present him with a high civilian honor for his heroism.Shane said the whirlwind of attention has been overwhelming, but the family is now focused on returning to everyday life as Ryder prepares for his first day of school on Aug. 6.“We just want to get back to normal life and let him start high school and start playing water polo,” he said.Trump plans to personally present him with a high civilian honor for his heroism. Jim LoScalzo / Pool via CNP / SplashNews.comThe proud father also welcomed the president’s recognition of his son.“I would love to take my son there and I think he deserves that.”Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!Ryder Williams with his father, Shane. Courtesy of Shane WilliamsThe boy is expected to make a full recovery. Instagram/santacruznowShane said Ryder is not doing interviews outside those arranged through California State Parks. He added that he couldn’t remember which White House staffer had called because his phone had been “blowing up.”Shane declined to discuss when the family might travel to Washington and would not say whether Ryder plans to reunite with 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, saying any updates would come through California State Parks.Ryder became an overnight hero on July 25 after an 8-to-10-foot sneaker wave dragged Nathaniel, of Dallas, into deep water at Seabright Beach.Ryder is not doing interviews outside those arranged through California State Parks. © California State ParksThe rookie lifeguard battled heavy surf for about two minutes to reach the boy after he blacked out in the water.Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen swam out to help, and together they brought Nathaniel safely to shore, where he was revived. he rescue unfolded during a chaotic day that saw Santa Cruz district lifeguards perform 34 rescues. Instagram/santacruznowThe boy is expected to make a full recovery.The rescue unfolded during a chaotic day that saw Santa Cruz district lifeguards perform 34 rescues.Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, previously told The Post he was “so grateful” to Ryder for saving his son’s life.

Aug 02, 2026
Why Kelly Ripa's Sudden Absence from 'Live' Has Everyone Talking New

Why Kelly Ripa's Sudden Absence from 'Live' Has Everyone Talking

Kelly Ripa is temporarily stepping away from her morning television hosting duties to focus on her health. On the Monday, July 27, 2026, broadcast of Live with Kelly and Mark, her husband and co-host Mark Consuelos shared that she is recovering from gum graft surgery. The common dental procedure will keep her off the airwaves for a week while she strictly follows medical instructions. Consuelos, 55, welcomed viewers to the nationally syndicated show alongside guest co-host Kevin Jonas. Right at the start of the episode, he explained that Ripa was absent due to the operation. He noted that the recovery process requires total vocal rest, meaning his wife is temporarily restricted from speaking. "Kelly sends her love," Consuelos said during the broadcast . "Kelly had a little bit - well, it’s not a little - she had a gum graft surgery." Kelly Ripa was absent from her usual hosting duties. Credit: Live With Kelly And Mark The details of the dental procedure A gum graft is a routine periodontal treatment designed to address thinning or receding gums. According to the Cleveland Clinic , the process involves transferring healthy tissue to cover exposed tooth roots, which helps protect against further recession, minimizes tooth sensitivity, and enhances overall oral health. Ripa, 55, actually had the surgery recommended to her by a dentist half a decade ago. Consuelos remembered the exact timeline on air. "Her dentist said five years ago, 'You can do it in about five years,' " Consuelos recalled. "And she joked, 'I didn’t think I’d still be on the air in five years!' ” Kevin Jonas co-hosting on Live With Kelly And Mark. Credit: Live With Kelly And Mark A strict path to recovery Even though Consuelos reported that Ripa is doing well, she must adhere to a comprehensive list of rules to ensure proper healing. Aside from avoiding speech, her recovery guidelines include eating a soft-foods diet, avoiding the use of straws, and not pulling at her lip to check the progress of the surgical site. Jonas, 38, joked about the speaking ban, saying, "Wow. That’s got to be the hardest thing she’s ever done." Consuelos agreed, noting that his wife is an excellent conversationalist, and admitted he is doing his best to make sure she follows the rules and directions. He joked about how she managed to get a checkup from him without moving her mouth, explaining that she tilted her head downward so he could look inside without disrupting the area. When Jonas inquired if the healing process was painful, Consuelos confirmed it was. "Yeah, it’s painful," he replied. "But she famously doesn’t feel pain. When she goes into the dentist, she doesn’t use the novocaine. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad." Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have been married for 30 years. Credit: Taylor Hill / Getty Jonas then shared a story about his own wife, Danielle Jonas, having a high pain tolerance, prompting a humorous observation from Consuelos. "Well, they do have kids. They deliver kids," Consuelos replied. "We’re not built for that." Guest hosts step into the studio A representative for Live with Kelly and Mark confirmed that Ripa would remain away from the desk for the next week. A rotating lineup of famous faces will step in to assist Consuelos during her absence. Jonas returned to the co-host chair on Tuesday, July 28. For the remainder of the week, the show featured Mila Kunis on Wednesday, Pamela Adlon on Thursday, and Scott Foley on Friday. Live with Kelly and Mark continues to air on weekdays in national syndication. Featured image credit: Live With Kelly And Mark

Aug 02, 2026
Cyber Chaos: Which States' Water Systems Are Under Siege? New

Cyber Chaos: Which States' Water Systems Are Under Siege?

A wave of cyber incidents targeting water and wastewater infrastructure has put utilities across multiple states on high alert, as federal authorities investigate attacks that have disrupted operations and exposed vulnerabilities in critical public services.The FBI and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned on July 30 that malicious cyber actors had targeted water and wastewater systems in at least seven states since July 27, 2026, causing operational disruptions and, in some cases, degrading water operations. Since then, incidents in fours states appear to match the federal warning....What the FBI SaidAccording to the FBI alert, attackers targeted internet-facing Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), which are devices used to monitor and control industrial equipment at water and wastewater facilities. The agency said hackers altered IP addresses and passwords, causing utilities to lose monitoring and control capabilities. Reported consequences included flooding and pressure loss in affected systems.Federal officials said water utilities reported incidents in at least seven states—at the time of reporting, the agencies haven’t identified the affected states—and urged operators to remove exposed control systems from the public internet and strengthen cybersecurity protections.Newsweek has reached out to the FBI for clarification on which states have been affected, and also the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for further details about the attacks. Minnesota Reports More Than 30 AttacksThe largest publicly disclosed cluster of incidents has emerged in Minnesota.Earlier this week, state officials said cyberattacks had targeted more than 30 water systems across the state. The attacks drew national attention after President Donald Trump referenced the incidents while discussing cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure, calling Minnesota officials "grossly incompetent."Officials haven’t publicly identified who was responsible, and investigators are continuing to examine the origin of the attacks.Michigan Water System TargetedMichigan also reported a cyber incident affecting a water system. State officials said a small number of communities reported incidents matching the tactics described by the FBI and EPA.According to reports, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said hackers altered settings on equipment connected to a wastewater facility. The incident was successfully contained, and authorities said there was no threat to drinking water supplies.South Dakota Incident Raises ConcernsRapid City, South Dakota, announced this week that one of its wastewater lift stations had been targeted in a cyber incident.City officials said the attack did not affect drinking water quality or public safety, but confirmed that hackers had attempted to interfere with wastewater infrastructure. The city said it had isolated the impacted systems and was working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to investigate. Local authorities stressed that Rapid City's water supply remained safe.California Incident Under Investigation...California has also experienced a recent water infrastructure cyber incident.In June, Government Technology reported that California Water Service (Cal Water), one of the largest water utilities in the western United States, launched an investigation after a hacking group claimed it had breached the company's systems. Investigators determined that hackers accessed one active customer's online Cal Water account using stolen login credentials, but found no evidence that the attackers penetrated the utility's internal networks, billing infrastructure, or operational technology systems responsible for water treatment and delivery.The case remains under investigation, but importantly, the utility said there were no disruptions to water service and no evidence that hackers gained access to the operational systems that control water distribution or treatment facilities.Are the Attacks Linked to Iran?...Federal investigators are examining whether the recent cyberattacks targeting water and wastewater systems across the United States could be connected to Iranian hackers, although authorities have stressed that no formal attribution has been made and the investigation remains ongoing.According to CBS News, U.S. officials are probing whether the activity could be the work of Iranian hackers, while cautioning that the assessment could change as additional technical evidence is collected. Investigators are also considering whether another actor may have attempted to mimic Iranian tactics to mislead authorities.The speculation stems in part from similarities between the latest incidents and previous campaigns that targeted American water infrastructure. The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa in western Pennsylvania was the target of a cyberattack on November 25, 2023, in one of the most prominent Iranian-linked attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure. This prompted warnings from federal agencies about vulnerabilities in industrial control systems used by water utilities. The FBI and EPA didn’t attribute the broader campaign to any specific country or hacking group in their July 30 alert. Instead, federal agencies are focusing on the techniques used by the attackers and are urging utilities nationwide to secure any internet-facing control systems.The question of Iranian involvement has also become politically charged. While some reports noted similarities to previous Iranian-linked operations, Trump dismissed suggestions that Iran was responsible for the Minnesota incidents, arguing that investigators had not yet established who was behind the attacks. Other States May Yet Be IdentifiedThe FBI's warning indicates that water and wastewater systems in at least seven states reported incidents, meaning additional states may have been affected beyond those that have publicly disclosed attacks.The latest incidents highlight a growing concern about the security of America's water systems, which serve millions of residents and are increasingly connected to remote monitoring and management technologies.For now, investigators are working to determine who was behind the attacks and whether the incidents reported in Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota and California are connected to the broader campaign identified by federal authorities.Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Tony Phillips

Aug 02, 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Bold Move: The Hidden Strategy Behind the New Military Offensive New

Saudi Arabia’s Bold Move: The Hidden Strategy Behind the New Military Offensive

Saudi Arabia is reportedly gearing up for a major assault on the Iran-backed Houthis, as fears of a widening war in the Middle East heighten.The Kingdom is preparing for a naval and possible ground invasion against the terror group in order to break open its stranglehold on vital shipping routes in the Red Sea.Saudi forces have withdrawn from Eastern Yemen in what could be the beginning stages of a possible invasion in the country’s southern region, The Guardian reported. Saudi Arabia could be gearing up for a ground invasion against the Houthis. REUTERSThe Sunni Gulf State has also established a maritime coalition to protect against renewed Houthi attacks in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, where the terror group has imposed a blockade on Saudi ships.The moves come as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Trump Saturday not to go through with planned strikes on Iran, according to a report in Axios.The two countries teamed up to strike Iran-backed Iraqi militias Tuesday, but the Saudi royal is reportedly weary of further escalation in the Islamic Republic.The Houthis, whose slogan is “God is great, Death to America, Death to Israel, A curse upon the Jews, Victory for Islam,” has attacked Saudi ships in the Red Sea — a critical shipping lane for Saudi Arabia — and also targeted oil infrastructure inside the country.The waterway has become increasingly critical with the Strait of Hormuz ensnared in dueling Iranian and US embargos as a result of the ongoing war.Tensions have risen between the two groups since the start of the Iran War. YAHYA ARHAB/EPA/ShutterstockOver 80% of the Saudis’ crude oil exports were previously shipped through Hormuz, but now about half of that transits the Red Sea.Losing access to Bab al-Mandab also poses a major shipping obstacle for the kingdom, as it would require them to divert ships to a path through Africa in order to reach Asia — turning a normally 16-day-trip into a 50-day trek.Thirteen countries, including non-Houthi-occupied Yemen, have joined the naval alliance with the Saudis and issued a joint statement Thursday vowing to ensure freedom of navigation in Bab al-Mandab.The Houthis have imposed a blockade on Saudi ships. REUTERSThe Saudis have also urged the US and Europe to join. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with US Vice President JD Vance and Trump Wednesday to discuss the country’s plans to fend off the terror group.Shipping in the Red Sea has not seen a stready flow since the Houthis began attacking ships navigating the waterway in November 2023 in support of Hamas’ war on Israel.

Aug 02, 2026
Why Did a 'Walking Dead' Actress Target Barack Obama? New

Why Did a 'Walking Dead' Actress Target Barack Obama?

Here is the bizarre story of an American actress who sent poisoned letters to then-President Barack Obama and high-ranking government officials before being arrested. Shannon Guess Richardson, now 48, was handed a lengthy prison sentence in July 2014 after she accepted a plea agreement on three counts. Back in May 2013, the actress called police and falsely accused her husband, Nathan Richardson, of sending ricin-laced letters to numerous politicians, while they were undergoing a divorce. He would never be charged, instead telling authorities that his wife was responsible for the letters, and investigators soon found that Richardson sent the letters to frame her soon-to-be ex-husband. She would be arrested on June 7, 2013, for allegedly sending letters laced with the poison ricin to politicians such as Obama and then-New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. Richardson was additionally charged with "mailing a threatening letter to President Barack Obama". Sharon Richardson was sentenced to 18 years in prison for her crimes. Credit: Leslie Morris/Getty Images Sharon Richardson avoided more severe punishment Richardson, who is known for her minor roles in The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries, was sentenced to 18 years behind bars for her crimes. A federal judge gave her the maximum sentence under her plea deal on a federal charge of possessing and producing a biological toxin, as per The Guardian . Months after pleading guilty to the charge in December, she was also ordered to pay $367,222 in restitution. She told the court: "I never intended for anybody to be hurt," later adding, "I'm not a bad person; I don't have it in me to hurt anyone." Prosecutors said that she mailed three letters from New Boston before going to police and claiming that her husband had done it. They added that investigators identified inconsistencies in Richardson's statements, later discovering that she bought materials online to produce ricin, a dangerous toxin that can cause respiratory failure if inhaled. As part of her plea agreement, the actress admitted to ordering castor beans online and learning how to process them into a substance to make ricin. The document revealed that she even made an email address, a PayPal shopping account and a post office box in her husband's name, without him knowing. Speaking about May 20, 2013, the mom-of-six confessed: "After he left the house, I printed the mailing labels for President Barack Obama, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Mark Glaze with The Raben Group." At the time, Glaze was the director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a group which advocated for stricter gun control. Obama was one of the politicians targeted by Richardson. Credit: Spencer Platt / Getty What did the letters say? According to the document, the letter to President Obama read: "What's in this letter is nothing compared to what ive got in store for you Mr President, "You will have to kill me and my family before you get my guns. Anyone wants to come to my house will get shot in the face." She admitted to trying to blame her husband and lying to authorities, but as recently as 2025, Richardson tried to cut her sentence from 18 years to 12 years. This request was originally filed in September 2024, citing the lack of attention to an MRSA infection which led to Richardson suffering from partial paralysis, memory loss, and kidney disease. The request would be denied by Judge Robert W. Schroeder III, with Richardson remaining in a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas, as her expected release date is set on November 18, 2028. Featured image credit: Leslie Morris/Getty Images

Aug 02, 2026
Tragedy Strikes: In-N-Out Employee Among Victims in Shocking Idaho Shooting New

Tragedy Strikes: In-N-Out Employee Among Victims in Shocking Idaho Shooting

An In-N-Out employee is among the dead following Saturday’s mass shooting outside one of its restaurants in Idaho, the fast-food chain’s CEO revealed on Sunday.“We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight,” In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder wrote in an Instagram post, following the shooting, which left two dead and seven wounded in Twin Falls, Idaho.Two people were killed and seven wounded in a mass shooting at an In-N-Out burger restaurant in Idaho Saturday. KMVT via AP“She was taking care of our most important asset – our Customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own,” continued the post, which did not name the employee killed in the shooting.Seven people were wounded.The gunman is yet to be identified and no motive has been given for the mass shooting.The gunman has yet to be identified. X/commandante_The motive for the rampage remains unclear. Kevin Bell Jr. via APOne of the wounded has been named as Terry Dudley, who was reportedly shot twice in the back while he charged his Tesla nearby.A GoFundMe set up to pay for Dudley’s treatment and recovery has raised almost $2,000.

Aug 02, 2026
Heroic Citizen's Dramatic Face-off with Idaho Gunman Captured on Video New

Heroic Citizen's Dramatic Face-off with Idaho Gunman Captured on Video

Newly surfaced footage has revealed how a brave armed citizen attempted to take on a gunman as he opened fire at an In-N-Out in Twin Falls, Idaho . The shooter was one of three people who were pronounced dead, with others injured following the shooting on Saturday, August 1 , according to the city’s public information officer, Josh Palmer. The scene is currently under investigation. This In-N-Out branch had only been open for a week in Twin Falls, attracting numerous customers before this weekend's events. Speaking to reporters hours after the incident, Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed that shelter-in-place restrictions were lifted, saying: "We believe that the threat to the community is over." Duane Rubink, chief of the neighboring Jerome Police Department, told CNN : “It appears there was one shooter who is deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot.” Now, a jaw-dropping video of the incident has been released, revealing the chaotic nature of the shooting from the perspective of witnesses and those passing by. The shooter ran outside during the incident, where witnesses filmed him. Credit: Facebook Footage of the shooting circulates online Originally posted on social media, a short video shows a man with a handgun shooting at the active shooter, who fires back at him, outside the fast food joint. Other perspectives revealed that workers were running away from the restaurant in a panic, with numerous gunshots heard. The gunman is said to have taken his own life, as per police, with the actions of the bold citizen believed to have saved the lives of many bystanders. He managed to distract the gunman long enough for customers and staff to run to safety, according to witness Lane Koehn, who took the video from his car. Koehn said that he saw a person carrying an AR-style rifle in the drive-thru area, before a man with a pistol started to fire at the suspect. The witness also recalled seeing a woman in an In-N-Out uniform bleeding from her chest while being dragged across the parking lot by a fellow employee. Koehn, the employee, and the man with the pistol stayed with her until medical support arrived, as he recalled to KPTV : “She was pretty bad off, but I don’t know. I hope she made it.” He thinks that there were around three or four shots fired, with it not being clear if someone was targeted in particular. Police have yet to announce the identity and motive of the deceased gunman. The shooting took place in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon (August 1). Credit: X Reaction from In-N-Out The shooter launched his rampage inside the burger joint at around 2 PM local time before heading outside, revealing his identity to several witnesses who were recording the incident. According to Hicks, local law enforcement is working to finalize the number of people injured, though they did not reveal how many people were involved. In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder released a statement following the shooting, revealing that an associate lost her life in the shooting. Snyder wrote: “We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight, she was taking care of our most important asset — our customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own. "He shot both on our property and off, and ended his life shortly after he took the previous lives of our Associate and Customers, innocent people, who never saw it coming.” COO Denny Warnick also released a statement, saying: “We are heartbroken, our prayers go out to our Customers, our Associates, and all of their families. "We are working with the Twin Falls Police Department to assist in the on-going investigation.” Featured image credit: Facebook

Aug 02, 2026
53-Year-Old Message in a Bottle Unravels Stunning Twist New

53-Year-Old Message in a Bottle Unravels Stunning Twist

It was 53 years in the making. A message in a bottle written by a 9-year-old girl in 1973 washed up on the Jersey Shore recently — while the man who discovered it found the late author’s sister just hours later and was shocked to learn that he and the girl share the same birthday.Laurie Blair Brown, who was on vacation with her family in Ocean City in August 1973, wrote a playful note, which read: This message in a bottle, penned by 9-year-old Laurie Blair Brown, was found 53 years later in New Jersey. Facebook/John Kauterman“This bottle was adrift on August 20, 1973 on 2nd Street beach Ocean City as my captors were transporting me to an island off shore in the Atlantic. Please notify my family that a band of ruthless sponge fisherman are forcing me to dive for them in shark infested waters!” The girl also wrote her Bernardsville home address in the dispatch, which she tucked inside the bottle.Weeks ago, John Kauterman, co-founder of the nonprofit Tidelands Initiative, stumbled upon the long lost note by a marsh near the Garden State Parkway while on a cleanup in the wetlands of Upper Township — around 10 miles from where Blair Brown and her sisters tossed it.“My first initial thought was like, ‘Okay, this sounds like a kid’s prank,'” Kauterman, 49, told NJ.com.He then decided to post a photo of the message in a local Facebook group, which led to him learning that Blair Brown died in 2017 from cancer at the age of 52.Within hours, Kauterman connected with Blair Brown’s sister, Allison Spencer, who revealed the letter actually contained her handwriting. John Kauterman, co-founder of the nonprofit Tidelands Initiative, found it during a cleanup in Upper Township. Facebook/John Kauterman“I offered to write it for her because she wasn’t sure how to spell all of the words. It was her story, and I was the scribe,” Spencer told the outlet.“My sister, who was a very creative and quirky person, had a really great sense of humor. She immediately latched onto this idea and she came up with the crazy story.”Kauterman, who returned the letter to Spencer, was left awestruck that he was able to connect with her so quickly.“I felt as though it’s kind of fascinating how the world works, where you can literally put something that’s been … essentially hiding for 53 years, put its content on the internet and be talking with the creator in like less than 12 hours,” he said, according to NJ.com.Spencer, who also discovered that Kauterman serendipitously shares the same birthday as her late sister, told 6ABC she is planning to display her note in a shadow box in her home.“She was really confident at the time we wrote it that it was going to be found,” she told the outlet.“So I think she would say, ‘I told you so.'”

Aug 02, 2026
Why Did Police Swarm 'Exorcist' Star Linda Blair's Home? New

Why Did Police Swarm 'Exorcist' Star Linda Blair's Home?

Officials raided the California home of “The Exorcist” star Linda Blair on Friday and made a stunning discovery.Investigators with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control and the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning found 200 dog at Blair’s home, despite her reportedly being permitted to keep only about 60 dogs.Blair, who has long championed animal rescue through her nonprofit, was on the property during the raid and was described as “extremely cooperative,” according to TMZ.Blair was present during the raid and was “extremely cooperative,” according to TMZ. Instagram/@thereallindablairAuthorities found 200 dogs on her property even though she is permitted to have only about 60. Instagram/@thereallindablairThe point of the raid was to assess the animals and gather evidence on the 2.5-acre property, the outlet reported.Blair suggested in an Instagram post that she feels the raid was overblown.“The animals are good in lieu of our surprise visit in 105° heat!” she wrote. “Turns out we just have some paperwork to do and some diagrams, but as everybody knows, I’m looking to move so I can be more educational and help more animals.”“I’d rather move forward. And I always say you know a good old-fashioned letter of contact always works. Be safe, safe lives support animal rescue cause we’re all fighting to save lives,” she added.Officials said in a statement to PEOPLE that the goal of the operation was to examine the property and the potential “kennel operation.” FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty ImagesBlair originally starred as possessed girl Regan MacNeil in the 1973 film. She reprised her role as MacNeil in the 2023 sequel The Exorcist: Believer. FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty ImagesOfficials said in a statement to PEOPLE that the goal of the operation was to examine the property and the potential “kennel operation.”“The goal is to inspect this property for buildings and structures associated with a kennel operation reported to have more than 100 dogs,” officials said in the statement. They added that Blair’s facility’s permits expired in 2023 and said multiple attempts by the agencies to contact Blair had failed.“The warrant allows us to lawfully access the property and verify compliance with County codes,” the department said, adding its role during the operation was to evaluate “animal care, safety conditions, and overall welfare of the dogs housed on the property.”“Our priority is the safety and well-being of both the animals on the property and the people who may be working or residing here,” continued the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. “This inspection will help us determine whether conditions meet required standards.”Blair originally starred as possessed girl Regan MacNeil in the 1973 film. She reprised her role as MacNeil in the 2023 sequel The Exorcist: Believer.She also starred in 12 episodes of the animal rescue television show Pit Boss from 2010 to 2012.

Aug 02, 2026
Iran's Secret Signal: Was Hormuz Set to Reopen Before Trump Halted Strikes? New

Iran's Secret Signal: Was Hormuz Set to Reopen Before Trump Halted Strikes?

Iran’s negotiators signaled to the US that they could reopen the Strait of Hormuz before President Trump called off massive strikes on the country this weekend, according to reports — but the IRGC is already denying any deal.Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Qatari and American diplomats that Tehran was prepared to make concessions on the Strait of Hormuz — including a deal that would allow ships to enter through Iranian waters, and exit via Oman, according to Israel’s N12 and reporter Barak Ravid.However, other Iranian officials are already claiming there’s been no deal involving the strait, where nearly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies once flowed.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly agreed to concessions on the Strait of Hormuz, but it’s unclear if the IRGC is on board. Getty ImagesIran has carried out sporadic attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to scare off ships. REUTERS“There is no agreement whatsoever regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the reports published on the subject are false,” an Iranian official said told Fars News Agency, which has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The latest breakdown in the cease-fire deal came after Iran started attacking ships that were navigating Hormuz via a route through Omani waters that the US had opened. Iran has maintained it must be allowed to charge tolls to ships crossing through that strait — thought such a toll would be illegal under international law. Trump indicated that there had been a breakthrough when he opted to hold off on plans to launch a massive, multi-week attack against Iran that was reported to include strikes on critical infrastructure within the Islamic Republic.“[W]e have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday.“This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” he added. “I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”President Trump has stressed that the US is still prepared to carry out massive attacks on Iran. AFP via Getty ImagesTrump further threatened that the US “is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.”Trump’s move also came after he spoke to Saudi leader Muhammad bin Salman, who urged him to hold off on a major strike.Saudi media said MBS “emphasized the need to use the language of dialogue to reduce escalation and the importance of making all possible efforts to achieve a calming.”Oman had also backed the proposal, according to N12, but there are questions about whether Araghchi is in sync with the IRGC — which has pushed to take a harder line than the politicians who are negotiating with the US. The IRGC leadership have frequently blocked deals during negotiations with the US. Trump and his negotiators have long expressed frustration over internal Iranian divisions that have complicated discussions.Trump has repeatedly threatened to carry out massive attacks on Iran before later backing off due to optimism about a breakthrough.

Aug 02, 2026
Florida Father's 'Joke' Turns Deadly: The Tragic Tale Behind the Leafblower Incident New

Florida Father's 'Joke' Turns Deadly: The Tragic Tale Behind the Leafblower Incident

A Florida dad has been charged with murder, two years on from the tragic death of his infant son. James Westervelt, 38, was charged with first-degree murder on Thursday (July 30), after he thought it would be fun to use a leaf blower on his baby boy. The decision comes two years after his six-month-old died in hospital, as reported by WAFF48 . Police explained that the boy was mere months old when the dad allegedly blew air from the power tool towards the baby, for a joke. Following the incident, the infant boy was put on life support, as per Marion County court records filed by prosecutors. The child would die soon after, with doctors attributing the death to blunt head trauma, which was caused by Westervelt bouncing the child, as "shaken baby syndrome" was cited in filings. The father was charged with murder after the death of his infant son. Credit: Marion County Sheriff's Office Westervelt is charged with murder The Florida dad reportedly admitted to investigators that he used a leaf blower on his boy because he thought it was funny, leading to the child's death. Marion County Sheriff's Office was called to a location for an unresponsive infant back in August 2024, leading to his arrest. Westervelt is currently in custody in Marion County, with a court date set for September. As well as being charged with first-degree murder, the Florida man previously faced child abuse charges stemming from the fatal incident before the fresh charges. Videos surfaced of Westervelt with his son when he was younger, where he was filming himself using a leafblower on his baby's face, leading to deputies arresting him in the first place. Following the revelation of the baby's cause of death, it was considered a homicide and the father has been charged. Authorities said that Westervelt had more children living in his home. The man from Bellevue had experienced run-ins with the law in the past too, having been charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in May, according to court records. In relation to these charges, his next scheduled court date is on August 5 for a pretrial conference. Statement from Marion County Sheriff's Office Zack Moore, from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, spoke to local outlet WESH 2 News about the fresh charge, revealing how they managed to gather enough evidence to prove he had done it. He explained: "Eventually, once Westervelt was arrested in April of this year for child abuse on the same victim, they were able to interview him again while in jail, and it had been a couple years since he had provided his initial statement, and this time he provided enough contradicting evidence. "Basically, we worked with the state attorney’s office and determined there was enough to arrest him for murder." Featured image credit: Marion County Sheriff's Office

Aug 02, 2026
Arizona Man's Shocking Claim: Wrongfully Detained in Missing Woman Case New

Arizona Man's Shocking Claim: Wrongfully Detained in Missing Woman Case

An Arizona man who was detained and later released during the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance plans to sue the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for $3.25 million, alleging authorities wrongfully targeted him and refused to publicly clear his name.A notice of claim was filed seeking damages on behalf of Carlos Palazuelos and two family members following a Feb. 10 operation tied to the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance.Palazuelos is seeking $2.5 million, while Daniel Maddox is seeking $500,000 and homeowner Josefina Maddox is seeking $250,000 for alleged property damage during the execution of a search warrant at the family’s Rio Rico home.Carlos Palazuelos has filed a $3.25 million notice of claim against the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. CBS NewsNews of the notice of claim was first reported by ABC15.The claim says deputies drew their guns on Palazuelos, took him into custody and kept him for seven to eight hours before releasing him without charges. It also alleges they confiscated his cellphone and driver’s license during the search of the Rio Rico residence.Daniel Maddox alleges he was handcuffed and held under armed guard outside the home during the search, while homeowner Josefina Maddox claims deputies damaged her property while executing the warrant.The notice contends investigators secured the warrant through a sealed application relying on “false or baseless evidence” and maintains deputies lacked probable cause to believe Palazuelos had committed a crime.Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is named in a $3.25 million notice of claim filed by Carlos Palazuelos, who alleges deputies wrongfully targeted him during the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Rebecca Noble for NY PostIt also contends Sheriff Chris Nanos and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department portrayed Palazuelos as a suspect by publicly announcing that deputies had detained a subject in connection with the Guthrie investigation and, according to the claim, describing him to reporters as a “person of interest.”The filing says authorities have since refused to retract those statements or publicly clear Palazuelos’s name.Attorney Jesse Showalter said the family is seeking accountability.“And now they’re living day-to-day, they’re living in fear, and so the first thing that I’d like to see is Sheriff Nanos and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office come forward and say, ‘Carlos, this was a mistake. Carlos is not a person of interest. He is not an investigative lead. We messed up. We need to see some accountability obviously,'” Showalter said.The claim says Palazuelos and his family have been followed and photographed by members of the public since his detention.Nancy Guthrie, 84, remains missing six months after investigators believe she was abducted from her Catalina Foothills home. Savannah Guthrie and her family have continued to appeal for information about her disappearance.Palazuelos previously told ABC15 that the attention has frightened his family.“People taking pictures of us or following us. Like yesterday, we went out dashing and we got home and there was this red truck following us. This morning it was there too, so it’s been kind of scary for me and for my wife, my kids and everybody,” he said.The claim describes Palazuelos’s detention as leaving him feeling “as though he himself had been kidnapped.”Under Arizona law, the county has 60 days to accept or reject the settlement demand before the claimants can move forward with a lawsuit.The notice of claim comes as the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance entered its sixth month with no arrests and no publicly identified suspect.Authorities continue to investigate Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, and no arrests have been announced. savannahguthrie/InstagramLast week, Nanos released the full text of two purported ransom communications sent to Tucson media shortly after Guthrie vanished, saying investigators hope someone recognizes the author’s language or writing style.Authorities also revealed that testing on a hair recovered from Guthrie’s home failed to produce a usable DNA profile, while other biological evidence remains under analysis.Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her Catalina Foothills home on Feb. 1, and investigators have continued to urge anyone with information to come forward.The Pima County Sheriff’s Office Department said it “does not comment on pending litigation,” in a statement to The Post.

Aug 02, 2026