ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes
ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes Hours after a Meta outage left Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users in the dark, ChatGPT seems to be following suit. Users of the AI website began experiencing technical difficulties sometime around 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. A message on the website as of 9:20 p.m. reads: "ChatGPT is currently unavailable. Status: Identified - We have identified the issue and are working to roll out a fix." Naturally, X users had a field day. #ChatGPT is down. Looks like everyone will have to finish their assignments the old fashioned way. pic.twitter.com/68xVq9DNf8 — Xon Kurama (@XonKurama) D…
Scheming State Employee Who Forged Checks; Made Bogus Insurance Claim Learns Fate: Maryland AG Scheming State Employee Who Forged Checks; Made Bogus Insurance Claim Learns Fate: Maryland AG
Scheming State Employee Who Forged Checks; Made Bogus Insurance Claim Learns Fate: Maryland AG A former Maryland Department of Labor employee is heading to jail after admitting to stealing from licensees and faking an insurance claim to pocket thousands. Shanell Angelia West, 46, of Essex, was sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to felony theft and insurance fraud, authorities announced on Wednesday.  West worked as a clerk at the Department of Labor for 18 months, where she stole funds from licensees by altering checks made payable to the state and depositing them into personal bank accounts, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Even after she …
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison The first gold bar scammer linked to an international crime ring targeting elderly residents in Maryland received a harsh sentence while making history in Montgomery County. On Monday, Dec. 11, Circuit Court Judge Margaret Schweitzer sentenced 26-year-old Ravinklejeet Mathon, of Rockville, to 10 years in prison, suspending all but five years, followed by five years of probation, well above the suggested guidelines for sentencing. Mathon was arrested in May after picking up the gold bars under the guise of being a courier.  The elderly victim, manipulated into believing his identity wa…
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries is hoping to delay his federal sex trafficking case. An attorney for the 80-year-old Jeffries filed a motion on Monday, Dec. 9, asking a Manhattan judge to schedule a hearing to determine whether Jeffries is mentally competent to stand trial. “[The motion] will be dealt with in court as, and when, appropriate – according to the judge,” Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, told Daily Voice. Federal prosecutors are expected to challenge the move, potentially delaying the case by months. An indictment unsealed in October accused Jeffries of pr…
Automated Trains Will Be Back On DC Metro In Days Automated Trains Will Be Back On DC Metro In Days
Automated Trains Will Be Back On DC Metro In Days A more efficient Metrorail experience is expected after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reintroduces Automatic Train Operation (ATO) on the Red Line.  This system, which automates train movements, is set to enhance ride smoothness and reduce travel times, according to the WMATA. ATO is expected to be operational on the Red Line by Sunday, Dec. 15. ATO is a system that automates the acceleration, deceleration, and speed regulation of trains, allowing for precise and consistent operations.  While train operators remain in the cab to monitor conditions an…
Rare Bugs Intercepted at Dulles International Airport: First-In-Port, Decades-Old Find: CBP Rare Bugs Intercepted at Dulles International Airport: First-In-Port, Decades-Old Find: CBP
Rare Bugs Intercepted at Dulles International Airport: First-In-Port, Decades-Old Find: CBP Agriculture specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport made a major discovery while inspecting flower imports from South Africa, intercepting two invasive insect pests that could potentially wreak havoc on American agriculture. The pests include a first-in-port find of Caprhiobia sp. (Lygaeidae), a destructive plant bug, and Oxycarenus maculatus, or the Protea seed bug, which has not been seen in the area since 1984, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bugs were discovered in an October shipment of 188 protea and chamelaucium cut-stem flowers destined for K…
CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Notebook Detailing Shooting Plans Revealed, Reports Say CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Notebook Detailing Shooting Plans Revealed, Reports Say
CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Notebook Detailing Shooting Plans Revealed, Reports Say Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was found in possession of a handwritten manifesto that sheds light on his alleged motives.  CNN was first to report the discovery.  The three-page document opens with a confession and asserts that Mangione acted independently, according to a report published Wednesday morning, Dec. 11 by The New York Times. He condemns UnitedHealthcare's increasing market capitalization amid declining American life expectancy and criticizes corporations for exploiting the country for pr…
CEO Murder: How A Hash Brown At McDonald's Led To Arrest Of Maryland's Luigi Mangione CEO Murder: How A Hash Brown At McDonald's Led To Arrest Of Maryland's Luigi Mangione
CEO Murder: How A Hash Brown At McDonald's Led To Arrest Of Maryland's Luigi Mangione The rare times in which Luigi Nicholas Mangione removed his face mask may have been the main reason for his arrest for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after a five-day manhunt. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Notebook Detailing Shooting Plans Revealed, Reports Say In the first instance, Mangione was asked by a receptionist at a hostel in Manhattan's Upper West Side to remove the mask so she could compare his face to the photo on an allegedly fake ID. The 26-year-old Maryland native checked in there 10 days before the targeted shooti…
'Burn That Sh—!' Feds Charge DC Protestor Who Destroyed American Flag 'Burn That Sh—!' Feds Charge DC Protestor Who Destroyed American Flag
'Burn That Sh—!' Feds Charge DC Protestor Who Destroyed American Flag A demonstration at Union Station in DC turned fiery when a protester set an American flag ablaze, leading to federal charges, authorities announced. Michael Snow Jr., 24, of Durham, North Carolina, is accused of torching the flag during a July 24 protest in Columbus Circle that spiraled into chaos. Court documents allege Snow destroyed the flag as a crowd surrounded him, chanting “Burn that sh--!” moments after the flag was torn down by others.  The protest reportedly involved pulling down flags, burning objects, spraying graffiti on statues and structures, and obstructing law enforce…
Drone Sightings Spark Security Concerns In Maryland Drone Sightings Spark Security Concerns In Maryland
Drone Sightings Spark Security Concerns In Maryland Authorities along the East Coast are grappling with a surge in drone sightings, raising security concerns and prompting high-level responses. In New Jersey, residents have reported numerous drone sightings since mid-November, particularly in Morris and Somerset counties, and more than a dozen mayors are calling for investigations. Gov. Phil Murphy is urging residents to report suspicious drone activity to law enforcement and emphasizing the state's commitment to public safety.  "We are actively monitoring the situation and in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement par…
District Man Killed Careening Off-Road, Crashing Into Maryland Tree, Sheriff Says District Man Killed Careening Off-Road, Crashing Into Maryland Tree, Sheriff Says
District Man Killed Careening Off-Road, Crashing Into Maryland Tree, Sheriff Says A District man died after his SUV veered off the roadway at a high rate of speed and crashed in Calvert County on Monday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office. Andrew Francis Evans II, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene of the Dec. 9 crash after veering off the road on MD Rt. 4 near Cedarwood Lane in Dunkirk, officials said. The chaos unfolded around 2:20 p.m. on Monday, when Evans’ GMC Yukon reportedly drifted off the southbound side of Rt. 4 near Lyons Creek Road, and struck a speed limit sign in the grassy shoulder.  Witnesses told deputies the SUV returned to the roa…
CEO Murder: Whiz Kid Suspect May Have Spiraled After Traumatic Back Surgery CEO Murder: Whiz Kid Suspect May Have Spiraled After Traumatic Back Surgery
CEO Murder: Whiz Kid Suspect May Have Spiraled After Traumatic Back Surgery Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the whiz kid Ivy League-educated high school valedictorian accused of the execution-style murder of the CEO of one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, may have spiraled out of control after traumatic back surgery. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: How A Hash Brown At McDonald's Ended Manhunt For Luigi Mangione The procedure, which allegedly left Mangione in significant physical and emotional distress, may have contributed to his deteriorating mental state, a factor authorities are considering as part of their investigation. …
Felon Running Fentanyl Operation From Luxury MD Apartment Linked To China Supply Chain: Feds Felon Running Fentanyl Operation From Luxury MD Apartment Linked To China Supply Chain: Feds
Felon Running Fentanyl Operation From Luxury MD Apartment Linked To China Supply Chain: Feds A convicted felon living in a luxury Baltimore apartment was found guilty of possessing fentanyl and firearms, including a "ghost gun," in connection with drug trafficking, federal officials announced Monday. Ryan E. Dales, 36, was convicted on multiple charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, after a four-day trial in Baltimore, authorities said on Dec. 9. According to evidence presented at trial, Dales operated a drug trafficking operation out of his residence…
Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Maryland Family Officially Charged With CEO's Murder Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Maryland Family Officially Charged With CEO's Murder
Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Maryland Family Officially Charged With CEO's Murder An Ivy League-educated high school valedictorian from a privileged, politically connected family has been charged with the execution-style murder of the CEO of one of the nation's largest healthcare providers after a days-long manhunt. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: Whiz Kid Suspect May Have Spiraled After Traumatic Back Surgery New York prosecutors have formally charged 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a native of Towson, Maryland, with the fatal shooting of United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson.  The incident occurred outside the New York Hilton in midt…
Luigi Mangione Mugshot Released: Details Shared In Rookie Cop's Big PA McDonald's Arrest Luigi Mangione Mugshot Released: Details Shared In Rookie Cop's Big PA McDonald's Arrest
Luigi Mangione Mugshot Released: Details Shared In Rookie Cop's Big PA McDonald's Arrest Luigi Mangione's mugshot has been released, as have new details in the arrest of the 26-year-old former UPenn student who police say is a prime suspect in the murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. 📸BREAKING: Luigi Mangione’s mug shot, per Altoona Police Department. pic.twitter.com/Vf1I2KKbRp — Amanda Head (@AmandaHead) December 9, 2024 PA Gov. Josh Shapiro says that 26-year-old Mangione had a ghost gun, a weapon assembled from untraceable parts, matching the firearm used in Thompson’s murder was recovered during his detention, PA Gov. Josh Shapiro and other law enforcemen…
Justice Served: Former Sheriff's Deputy In Maryland Convicted Of Rape, Misconduct While On Duty Justice Served: Former Sheriff's Deputy In Maryland Convicted Of Rape, Misconduct While On Duty
Justice Served: Former Sheriff's Deputy In Maryland Convicted Of Rape, Misconduct While On Duty A former Wicomico County sheriff's deputy who used his badge to prey on victims is facing a lengthy behind bars after being convicted on 29 charges, including multiple rape, sexual misconduct, and false imprisonment offenses. Steven Abreu, 31, was found guilty by a Wicomico County jury following a five-day trial where harrowing testimony from at least one victim revealed how he abused his position of power.  The crimes occurred while Abreu was on duty in October 2022, just days after he began patrolling on his own, according to the sheriff's office. Sheriff Michael Lewis described the…
Second Racist Incident In Eight Months Sparks Outrage, Reform At Wootton High School Second Racist Incident In Eight Months Sparks Outrage, Reform At Wootton High School
Second Racist Incident In Eight Months Sparks Outrage, Reform At Wootton High School A shocking act of racism at Wootton High School has ignited outrage in the school community, prompting school leaders to postpone a pep rally and vow cultural change. The incident occurred Monday, Dec. 3, when a Black student discovered a racial slur written on their desk, according to a letter sent to families by Dr. Peter O. Moran, chief of the Office of School Support and Improvement. "This incident has not only harmed this individual student but has harmed students, families, and staff, specifically those who are Black or African American," Dr. Moran wrote in the letter. He acknowledge…
Power Tool Heist: Maryland Man Gets Prison Time For ATM Robbery At Prince George's Store: Feds Power Tool Heist: Maryland Man Gets Prison Time For ATM Robbery At Prince George's Store: Feds
Power Tool Heist: Maryland Man Gets Prison Time For ATM Robbery At Prince George's Store: Feds A Maryland man will spend seven years in federal prison for his role in a brazen ATM robbery where co-conspirators used a power tool to steal more than $35,000 from a Prince George's County convenience store, officials said. Marquis Hayes Henderson, 24, was sentenced by US District Judge Theodore D. Chuang to seven years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release, authorities announced on Monday afternoon. Court records reveal that on April 29, 2022, Henderson and four co-conspirators met at a storage lot in Clinton before heading to the store in a stolen vehicle. Hender…
Officers Accused Of Misconduct Following Deadly Police Pursuit: Maryland AG Officers Accused Of Misconduct Following Deadly Police Pursuit: Maryland AG
Officers Accused Of Misconduct Following Deadly Police Pursuit: Maryland AG Two Anne Arundel County police officers have been indicted for allegedly concealing their involvement in a high-speed pursuit that ended in a fatal crash last year, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Monday. Officer Eddie Vasquez, 29, and Cpl. Kieran Schnell, 27, face charges of misconduct in office in connection with the Dec. 7, 2023, incident, according to a press release issued on Dec. 9 announcing that Vasquez has been charged with one count of misconduct, while Schnell faces two counts. The pursuit occurred around midnight on Fort Smallwood Road near Curtis Bay, where…
Who Is Luigi Mangione? Maryland Internet Heartthrob Person Of Interest In CEO Murder Who Is Luigi Mangione? Maryland Internet Heartthrob Person Of Interest In CEO Murder
Who Is Luigi Mangione? Maryland Internet Heartthrob Person Of Interest In CEO Murder After a week of speculation and viral memes on social media, authorities have identified a person of interest in the killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny announced Monday, Dec. 9, that 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who has ties to Maryland, is considered a suspect in the murder. He was eating at a McDonald's in Altoona, PA when an employee recognized him and called local police, Kenny said (scroll down for more on Mangione's apprehension). Mangione's Facebook page shows that he is from Towson, MD and studied at the University of Pennsylvania. His…
New Update - CEO Murder: 26-Year-Old Being Held ID'd As Former HS Soccer Player In Maryland New Update - CEO Murder: 26-Year-Old Being Held ID'd As Former HS Soccer Player In Maryland
New Update - CEO Murder: 26-Year-Old Being Held ID'd As Former HS Soccer Player In Maryland The identity has been released of a 26-year-old being held in Pennsylvania in connection with the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. Click here for the latest update - Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged With CEO's Murder, Faces Extradition To NY The man was located in Altoona, about 280 miles away from Manhattan and about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, after a Greyhound bus he was traveling on stopped at a McDonald's, authorities said. The man has been ID'd as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the NYPD announced. Mangione is from Towson, M…
'Significant' Southern Maryland Drug Seizure Nets $2M In Narcotics, Two Arrested, Sheriff Says 'Significant' Southern Maryland Drug Seizure Nets $2M In Narcotics, Two Arrested, Sheriff Says
'Significant' Southern Maryland Drug Seizure Nets $2M In Narcotics, Two Arrested, Sheriff Says In the largest drug seizure in St. Mary’s County history, deputies uncovered over $2 million worth of narcotics during a massive operation targeting high-level drug trafficking in Southern Maryland, according to authorities. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that detectives arrested Antwian Marquis Johnson, 38, and Shannon Marie Johnson, 37, both of Great Mills, during a raid on Dec. 5. following an undercover probe into drug trafficking.  Deputies executed search warrants at two residences in Great Mills and Hollywood, where they seized approximately 47 pounds…
New Images Show Suspect Fleeing In Cab After Brazen Targeted Killing Of CEO In Manhattan New Images Show Suspect Fleeing In Cab After Brazen Targeted Killing Of CEO In Manhattan
New Images Show Suspect Fleeing In Cab After Brazen Targeted Killing Of CEO In Manhattan New images released by authorities show the suspect in the brazen targeted killing of the CEO of one of the nation's largest healthcare companies in midtown Manhattan fleeing the crime scene in the back of a taxi cab. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: 26-Year-Old Being Held In Pennsylvania In Connection To Manhattan Case The NYPD released the latest images early Sunday morning, Dec. 8.  "The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's help," the NYPD said in a statement accompanying the release of the new i…
From Squad Car To Cell: Armed Maryland Carjacker Learns Fate In Court After Targeting Detective From Squad Car To Cell: Armed Maryland Carjacker Learns Fate In Court After Targeting Detective
From Squad Car To Cell: Armed Maryland Carjacker Learns Fate In Court After Targeting Detective A Baltimore man who carjacked a police detective at gunpoint and fled in his unmarked vehicle will spend the next 12 years in federal prison, authorities announced. Trevon Gardner, 23, was sentenced Friday, Dec. 6, by U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher to 12 years behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release, for the armed carjacking of Baltimore Police Department Detective Aaron Cain, according to the US Attorney’s Office. The incident occurred on May 3, 2022, at a 7-Eleven store on South Hanover Street in Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood.  Surveillance foota…
Maryland Felon Convicted After Accidentally Shooting Himself, Lying To Deputies: Prosecutors Maryland Felon Convicted After Accidentally Shooting Himself, Lying To Deputies: Prosecutors
Maryland Felon Convicted After Accidentally Shooting Himself, Lying To Deputies: Prosecutors A Harford County man who accidentally shot himself and fabricated a story to police about being targeted by a mysterious gunman has been convicted on multiple firearms charges. John Thomas Preston Jr., of Bel Air, was found guilty Thursday, Dec. 5, of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a rifle or shotgun, making false statements to police, and several related charges, according to Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey. The three-day trial revealed that on Jan. 10, 2023, deputies responded to Preston's residence following reports of a shooting.  Preston cla…
Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak Linked To 10 Deaths Ends After 61 Illnesses: CDC Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak Linked To 10 Deaths Ends After 61 Illnesses: CDC
Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak Linked To 10 Deaths Ends After 61 Illnesses: CDC The deadly Listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats is over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. Boar's Head recalled all deli products made at its Jarratt, Virginia facility in July 2024, due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall included prepackaged deli products and ready-to-eat liverwurst. The CDC announced the conclusion of its investigation, noting that the outbreak resulted in 61 confirmed illnesses across 19 states. Among those affected, 60 were hospitalized, and 10 deaths were reported, underscoring the severity of the cont…
Feds Issue Order For National Milk Testing To Monitor Bird Flu Feds Issue Order For National Milk Testing To Monitor Bird Flu
Feds Issue Order For National Milk Testing To Monitor Bird Flu The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping up efforts to monitor avian influenza (better known as bird flu) with a new federal order mandating national testing of raw milk for the H5N1 virus. The order requires all producers of raw, unpasteurized milk across the US to provide samples for testing as part of a broad initiative to prevent the spread of bird flu from potentially infected dairy cattle to humans.  The move follows recent detections of the virus in dairy herds in several states, underscoring the importance of controlling outbreaks at the source. While pas…
Baltimore Carjacker Sentenced To Term Topping Guideline By 15 Years: State's Attorney Baltimore Carjacker Sentenced To Term Topping Guideline By 15 Years: State's Attorney
Baltimore Carjacker Sentenced To Term Topping Guideline By 15 Years: State's Attorney A Baltimore man with a history of violent crimes received a sentence far beyond the standard guidelines after carjacking and robbing two victims at gunpoint, authorities announced on Friday. Ikem Ravenell, 35, was sentenced to 45 years in prison, with the first 10 years ineligible for parole, for armed carjacking and robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.  The sentence surpasses the guidelines by 15 years, reflecting the severity of the offense and his criminal history. Ravenell, a repeat offender with prior convictions for robbery …
Maryland Man Who Took Police On Deadly High-Speed Pursuit Learns Fate In Court Maryland Man Who Took Police On Deadly High-Speed Pursuit Learns Fate In Court
Maryland Man Who Took Police On Deadly High-Speed Pursuit Learns Fate In Court A 20-year-old Boyds man who led police on a deadly chase through Montgomery County was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with all but eight years suspended, after pleading guilty to grossly negligent manslaughter and related offenses. Antoine Randall was sentenced this week in Montgomery County Circuit Court by Judge Harry Storm after pleading guilty to his role in a December 2023 crash that killed a minor who was in his vehicle. Prosecutors say that the incident began Dec. 13, 2023, when Montgomery County police attempted to stop a white 2016 Nissan Maxima near Bucknell Drive and Cambridge …
Maryland Home Builders Ordered To Pay Nearly $1 Million For Defrauding Buyers: AG Maryland Home Builders Ordered To Pay Nearly $1 Million For Defrauding Buyers: AG
Maryland Home Builders Ordered To Pay Nearly $1 Million For Defrauding Buyers: AG A Maryland homebuilder and his companies have been ordered to pay over $950,000 after being found guilty of hundreds of consumer protection violations involving unfinished modular homes and misappropriated funds, officials announced. Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Krystal Q. Alves affirmed a Final Order against Finish Werks Corp., Finish Werks Custom Builders, Inc., and their owner, William Karl “Harris” Woodward, for violations impacting families in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Montgomery counties, according to Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. The companies committed…
$125K Birthday Bet: Lottery Player Hits Triple Jackpot At Maryland Liquor Store $125K Birthday Bet: Lottery Player Hits Triple Jackpot At Maryland Liquor Store
$125K Birthday Bet: Lottery Player Hits Triple Jackpot At Maryland Liquor Store A retired factory worker from Randallstown turned a simple family birthday into a winning strategy, scoring an impressive $125,000 across three winning Pick 5 tickets. The Baltimore County resident hit the jackpot in the Dec. 2 evening drawing, claiming two $50,000 prizes and an additional $25,000 win on straight bets, according to Maryland Lottery officials. Checking his numbers on the Lottery app, the man had an unforgettable reaction: “I was like, ‘Wow! I actually won it.’” His formula for success? A mix of strategy and superstition. He plays a $0.50 straight bet for every Pick 5 drawin…