Woman found dismembered in bags was mother of 4, remembered as sweet soul

Protection from the womb 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) talks to reporters Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pushed back Friday against the uproar over a comment he made about African American voters, calling the criticism directed his way "outrageous."McConnell had been accused of racism for saying that "African American" voters cast ballots at similar rates to "Americans." The comment implied that Black voters are somehow not American and underscored the concerns of voting rights advocates that Republicans in state legislatures across the country are explicitly seeking to disenfranchise Black voters.Following a speech Friday at an annual conference in Louisville, the Republican leader said he misspoke Wednesday when he made the comment during a Washington news conference."I’ve never been accused of this sort of thing before, and it’s hurtful and offensive," he said. "And I think some of the critics know it’s totally nonsense."McConnell on Wednesday had said that "African American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans." McConnell explained on Friday that he should have said the word "all" before "Americans."He also defended his record on race by noting that he attended the Rev.

DANVILLE, Pa. - A truck carrying about 100 monkeys was involved in a crash Friday in Pennsylvania, state police said as authorities searched for at least three of the monkeys that appeared to have escaped the vehicle.The truck carrying the animals crashed with a dump truck in the afternoon in Montour County, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Andrea Pelachick told the Daily Item.The truck had been on its way to a lab, Pelachick said.Authorities have asked residents who might see the monkeys to call state police at 570-524-2662.It was unclear if any people or animals were injured in the crash.MORE PENNSYLVANIA HEADLINES___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Allison Baver #805 competes in the ladies 1,000 meter time trial during the U.S. Olympic Short Track Trials at the Utah Olympic Oval on January 2, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

NEW YORK - Two NYC police officers were shot in Harlem on Friday night, the NYPD said. The officers were in critical condition, the department told FOX 5 NY. The officers were shot near West 135th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard.

LOS ANGELES - A mother who claims teachers secretly manipulated her 11-year-old daughter into changing her gender identity and name has filed a legal case against a tiny California school district.Spreckels Union School District was responsible for "extreme and outrageous conduct" that led the student on a path toward transitioning as a boy and drove a wedge between mother and child, according to the claim filed Wednesday by a conservative legal group.Jessica Konen said two middle school teachers who ran the school’s Equality Club — later known as UBU (You Be You) — had planted the seed in her daughter’s head in 6th grade that she was bisexual and then introduced the idea she was transgender.The legal claim that is a precursor to a lawsuit follows a flare up of tensions in the district last fall after the author of a book widely criticized as "anti-transgender" quoted the two teachers speaking at a conference about how to run an LGBTQ+ club in a conservative community.Spreckels is a speck of a town in the agricultural Salinas Valley, about 90 miles south of San Francisco. It was once home to the world’s largest sugar refinery and was the setting for some of the scenes in the 1955 film based on John Steinbeck’s "East of Eden."While Konen said her daughter had revealed she was bisexual, the mother was unaware she was identifying as a boy until she was called to a meeting at the Buena Vista Middle School principal’s office in December 2019 when her daughter was in 7th grade.She wasn’t told the purpose of the meeting until her daughter entered the room and sat across a table from her and teacher Lori Caldeira broke the news."I literally was caught off guard.

FILE - Billie J. Farrell is pictured in Charlestown, MA on Jan. 6, 2022.

22-year-old Gabby Petito, in a written statement investigators found in his notebook, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.The FBI in Denver shared the new details in a statement, released Friday, which laid out the final investigative findings in a case that made headlines around the world.“Upon further search of (Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park), investigators found human remains later confirmed to be Mr. Laundrie, along with a backpack, notebook, and a revolver,” the FBI said.“A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms.

N95 mask, also known as an N95 respirator, is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles, according to the Food and Drug Administration.The edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. N95 particulate respirators are arranged for a photograph in Hong Kong, China, on Monday, April 6, 2020 (Credit: Justin Chin/Bloomberg via Getty Images) According to the CDC, the mask is called an N95 because it is the U.S. standard that requires masks to be able to filter out at least 95% of very small particles — including droplets from the coronavirus. With such similar-sounding names, it can be confusing to understand the difference between N95 and KN95 masks. Earlier this month, the CDC updated its masking guidelines stating respirators such as N95 and KN95 "offer the highest level of protection".

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - Attorneys for Vanessa Bryant and Los Angeles County met behind closed doors but were unable to settle her lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in damages for the emotional distress she claims suffering after discovering that graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed her NBA legend husband, their 13-year-old daughter and seven others were allegedly shared by sheriff's and fire department personnel, according to court papers obtained Friday.The private mediation session took place in June before retired Superior Court Judge Louis M. Meisinger.

A 32-year-old man died after being shot in the back Friday afternoon in North Philadelphia, police said. No arrests were reported immediately following the deadly shooting.

TAMPA, Fla. - The FBI released its final update on the Gabby Petito investigation, saying a review of the notebook found near Brian Laundrie's remains showed he claimed responsibility for her death.The release issued Friday afternoon said the Petito family met with the FBI in Tampa since the investigation would be closed in the "near future."In its timeline of the investigation, the agency said that when Brian Laundrie's remains were found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, detectives also discovered a backpack, revolver and notebook."A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms Petito's death," the FBI wrote in its release.Teton County Coroner Dr.

COVID-19 cases among its officers and staff — topping out at 90 cases.Police said Friday that the number has gradually dropped, and now 65 employees are off work due to the coronavirus.

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is under significant stress, leading to several patients being transferred out of the region.The Omicron variant has led to hospitalizations hitting all-time highs as more people get infected with the virus.As of Friday, 153 patients are in LHSC with COVID-19, with 297 staff members who have tested positive for the virus, and officials say more staff are off sick or quarantining.Interim executive vice-president Dr. Adam Dukelow says around 10 patients have been transferred to other hospitals since Wednesday.

VIRGINIA - A parent in Virginia told a school board on Thursday that she would "bring every single gun, loaded and ready" if the board did not abandon their mask mandate for students.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and Weather"No mask mandates. My children will not come to school Monday with a mask on.

A meta-analysis published this week in BMJ shows that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for children don't meet minimum performance standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

PHOENIX - Irene Luevano, a 37-year-old woman who was reported missing on Jan. 16, has been found dead, and her boyfriend faces charges for her murder."Earlier today, January 20, Phoenix Police investigators located the remains of Ms.

MARSHALL, Wisc. - A police officer in Wisconsin suffered injuries after being dragged by a vehicle earlier this week.According to the Marshal Police Department, the officer was conducting a routine vehicle registration check on Main Street Tuesday afternoon when he found information on a person with a felony warrant and suspects listed in prior retail thefts.The officer found the vehicle parked behind an Ace Hardware store. He went inside and spoke with a woman he believed to have the felony warrant.Chief John Nault said the woman allegedly gave the officer a false name. As the officer attempted to verify some details from his squad car, he allegedly saw the woman and a man running to the car behind the store.The Marshall Police Department identified the suspects as 38-year-old Tracey J.

AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas man has been charged for posting a message on Craigslist last year threatening to kill Georgia election officials.Chad Christopher Stark of Leander has been charged with one count of communicating interstate threats in violation of Title 18 of the US Code Section 875 (c). He now faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted.Stark was arrested in Travis County and is scheduled to make his initial appearance Friday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Austin.According to the indictment, Stark allegedly posted a message to Craigslist on Jan.

Covid-19 vaccines are standing up to the omicron variant, at least among people who received booster shots.

Photo of Oscar Meyer bologna-inspired hydrating face mask. (Image courtesy of The Kraft Heinz Company) WASHINGTON - Oscar Mayer is well-known for its meat products, but the company is tapping into the beauty and skincare space with the release of a new limited-edition bologna-inspired face mask. The face mask was a playful way to bring smiles to the faces of Oscar Mayer fans who playfully made masks out of their bologna as kids and beauty enthusiasts, according to a release from Kraft Heinz. Oscar Mayer partnered with Seoul Mamas, a Korean beauty and skincare company for its unique creation.

Kathryn Prescott has given her first update to fans on Instagram after being hit by a cement truck in September.The 30-year-old performer wrote a lengthy message that was shared to her Instagram account on Thursday to let her fans know that she was doing well after being hospitalized for just under a month.The Skins actress also shared a picture of a rock to her account and explained to her fans that it was given to her on the day that she was injured. She is fine: Kathryn Prescott has given her first update to fans on Instagram after being hit by a cement truck in September; she is seen in 2019Prescott was hit by a cement truck while walking across a street in Brooklyn, New York, on September 7 of last year.The actress suffered breaks in two places in her pelvis, as well as her legs, a foot and her left hand, according to E! News.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California would allow children age 12 and up to be vaccinated without their parents’ consent, the youngest age of any state, under a proposal late Thursday by a state senator.Alabama allows such decisions at age 14, Oregon at 15, Rhode Island and South Carolina at 16, according to Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco who is proposing the change.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonathan E.

KOLKATA :

SHARON HILL, Pa. - Academy Park High School went into a lockdown Friday morning as first responders converged on the scene.The lockdown went into effect around 9:30 a.m.

Tesla automobile plugged in and charging a Supercharger rapid battery charging station for the electric vehicle company Tesla Motors, in the Silicon Valley town of Mountain View, California, August 24, 2016. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Imag DETROIT - California prosecutors have filed two counts of vehicular manslaughter against the driver of a Tesla on Autopilot who ran a red light, slammed into another car and killed two people in 2019.The defendant appears to be the first person to be charged with a felony in the United States for a fatal crash involving a motorist who was using a partially automated driving system.

Police say 14 catalytic converters, three saws, and four ski masks were found in a car during a traffic stop. (Middletown Township Police)  LANGHORNE, Pa. - Authorities in Bucks County say they found more than a dozen stolen catalytic converters inside of vehicle after pulling over a driver for speeding. Around 1:30 a.m.

Photo of Oscar Meyer bologna-inspired hydrating face mask. (Image courtesy of The Kraft Heinz Company) WASHINGTON - Oscar Meyer is well-known for its meat products, but the company is tapping into the beauty and skincare space with the release of a new limited-edition bologna-inspired face mask. The face mask was a playful way to bring smiles to the faces of Oscar Meyer fans who playfully made masks out of their bologna as kids and beauty enthusiasts, according to a release from Kraft Heinz. Oscar Mayer partnered with Seoul Mamas, a Korean beauty and skincare company for its unique creation.

Covid-19.

A memorial tree has been planted in the grounds of University Hospital Ayr to remember the people of Ayrshire and Arran who have lost their lives to Covid-19.

A judge has demanded an investigation after two members of an organised crime gang were able to successfully apply for £145,000 in Covid 'bounce back' loans.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 20: Meat Loaf joins the cast as a special guest as he visits the musical "Bat Out Of Hell" on Broadway at New York City Center on August 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) NEW YORK - Meat Loaf, the heavyweight rock superstar loved by millions for his "Bat Out of Hell" album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as "Paradise By the Dashboard Light," "Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad," and "I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)," has died.

NEW DELHI :

COLOMBO (News 1st); Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Park Byeong-Seug visited the Parliament on Friday (21).The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea is in Sri Lanka on the invitation of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake, and Sergeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando welcomed the Speaker of the Republic of Korea and his delegation.Thereafter, the Speaker of the Republic of Korea will pay a courtesy call on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and then observe Proceedings of the House from the VIP Gallery.

A Florida man has been arrested and charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people were found on the Canadian side of the Canada-U.S. border. Marney Blunt reports.

A 74-year-old woman was found dead in a house fire Thursday evening in Medford, New Jersey, according to firefighters. The cause of the blaze has not been determined.

Lia Thomas of the Pennsylvania Quakers smiles after winning the 200 meter freestyle event during a tri-meet against the Yale Bulldogs and the Dartmouth Big Green at Sheerr Pool on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania on January 8, 2022 in Phi (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The University of Pennsylvania said it will work with the NCAA under its newly adopted standards for transgender athletes.Swimmer Lia Thomas, who competed for the men's team at Penn before transitioning, has qualified to compete in March at the 2022 NCAA swimming and diving championships. She is set to race in the women's 200-yard, 500-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle."Penn Athletics is aware of the NCAA’s new transgender participation policy," the Ivy League school said Thursday in a statement.

(FOX 9) - Human smuggling charges have been filed against a Florida man after the deaths of a family of four near Minnesota's border with Canada this week.According to Minnesota U.S. Attorney Charles Kovats, 47-year-old Steve Shand, of Florida, was charged on Wednesday for the case.The U.S.

Jason Kenney announces that Alberta will be allocating existing beds at two of the province’s health-care facilities for COVID-19 care.

(FOX 9) - Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson repeatedly lied and attempted to conceal key information after he drunkenly crashed his squad car at speeds of more than 120 miles an hour in December, newly released case files indicate.The files indicate Hutchinson claimed that he wasn't driving his county-owned vehicle, attempted to grab for his gun holster while talking with a Douglas County sheriff's deputy, and delayed in providing a urine sample. The files also indicate that Hutchinson lied in previous TV interviews about his decision to get on the road.At 1:19 a.m. Dec.

PHILADELPHIA - A professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania — regarded as one of the most prestigious business schools in the nation — asked her students how much they believed the average U.S. worker earned per year.Their answers were laughable to say the least. "25% of them thought it was over six figures. One of them thought it was $800k.

Freeze frame from video showing young lions playing in the snow. A dangerous winter storm brought significant snowfall, strong thunderstorms and blustery winds to the northeastern U.S.

Following an initial licensing deal in October between the United Nations–based Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and Merck to allow pharmaceutical companies in other countries to make molnupiravir, an oral antiviral for treating COVID-19, the MPP today announced agreements with 27 generic makers.

PHILADELPHIA - New video obtained by FOX 29 claims to show a man accused of bludgeoning a woman to death at an Old City office building pacing outside a Philadelphia apartment holding what appears to be two pipes in his hand.The Ring doorbell footage was recorded Tuesday night outside a Bridesburg apartment building where the accused attacker, 49-year-old Jeffrey Stepien, used to live. A former landlord claims that Stepien menacingly paced on the sidewalk with an object in his hands for roughly an hour and a half. Prosecutors on Thursday charged Stepien with murder in the alleged attack that left 31-year-old Samantha Maag dead.

Frank del Duca and Hakeem Abdul-Saboor; Emily Sweeney (inset right) and Kelly Curtis (inset left). (Patrick Goosen/BSR Agency, Johann GRODER / APA / AFP, and Dean Mouhtaropoulos via Getty Images.)They’re already serving their country in the military. Now, four U.S.

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A death investigation is underway at a Charles County home full of more than 100 venomous and non-venomous snakes.Deputies went inside the home after a neighbor called 911 when they found a man dead inside.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and WeatherExperts from North Carolina and Virginia are assisting animal control to document the different breeds before figuring out where to move them.Neighbors say they're glad the situation is being taken care of, but they're both scared and grieving."This is a beautifully close neighborhood," says Charles County Community Engagement Coordinator and neighbor Doria Fleisher.

in a release Friday afternoon that the four people appear to have been part of a larger group of Indian nationals crossing the border, who became separated during the hours-long trek through the snow.The group was apparently headed to the St. Vincent, Minn., area, and were expecting to be picked up by someone when they crossed the border.