Man who shot and killed former Saints star Will Smith sentenced to 25 years in prison for manslaughter
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The man who shot and killed retired NFL star Will Smith in a car crash in 2016 was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in January and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Thursday's hearing in New Orleans was the second time 36-year-old Cardel Hayes faces sentencing in a murder case. He was convicted of manslaughter in December 2016 and later sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, the jury's vote was 10-2, and the conviction was later vacated after the Supreme Court banned such non-unanimous verdicts. He was released on bond while awaiting retrial, but was locked up again after his second conviction in the former New Orleans Saint's death.
Authorities investigating the Gilgo Beach murder will search a wooded area on Long Island, Associated Press sources report.
NEW YORK (AP) – Authorities investigating New York's Gilgo Beach murder have begun a wide search of a wooded area on Long Island. A law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity about the search area. The case has fueled national speculation after years of deadlock. A few months ago, prosecutors charged a New York architect with murder in the deaths of four of the 11 women whose bodies were found buried along a remote beach highway in 2010 and 2011. charged with a crime. Law enforcement officials said dozens of canine units and officers began searching the area Tuesday in the woods.
Average U.S. long-term mortgage interest rate rises for fourth consecutive week, reaching highest level since November
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Average long-term mortgage rates in the U.S. rose this week to their highest level since late November, another setback for homebuyers during what is traditionally the housing market's busiest time of the year. . Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac announced Thursday that its average interest rate on 30-year mortgages rose to 7.17% from 7.1% last week. The average interest rate a year ago was 6.43%. Average interest rates have now risen for four consecutive weeks. Rising mortgage rates can add hundreds of dollars a month to a borrower's costs, potentially limiting how much they can afford.
The body believed to be that of a truck driver who went missing in November has been found on an Iowa farm.
A body believed to be that of a missing truck driver was found in a field in northwestern Iowa, not far from where the rig was found abandoned on an isolated highway just before Thanksgiving. The details of his death remain a mystery. The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced Wednesday that someone in the field found the body of 53-year-old David Schultz near where his semi was found on Nov. 21. DPS did not identify the body as Schultz's, but said a forensic autopsy was planned, which was mentioned in the news release. But Schultz's wife, Sarah, told reporters Thursday that the person found was wearing the same boots as her husband, and her keys were found in his pants pocket, she said.
New deep-sea waterway allows first ship to pass through wreckage of Baltimore's Key Bridge
BALTIMORE (AP) – The first cargo ship stuck in port since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago has passed through Baltimore's newly opened deep-sea waterway. A bulk carrier sailing under the Panamanian flag passed through a new 35-foot strait on Thursday morning, bound for Saint John, Canada. The ship is one of five stranded ships expected to pass through the new interim route. Last month, a container ship named Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse. Following Dali's relocation, the port's main waterway is expected to reopen next month.
U.S. births fell last year, ending a late-pandemic rebound, experts say
NEW YORK (AP) — The number of births in the United States fell last year. This was the lowest number in more than 40 years. The number of babies born in the United States in 2023 will be just under 3.6 million, about 76,000 fewer than the previous year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released preliminary statistics Thursday. Fertility rates have long been declining for teenagers and young women, but rising for women in their 30s and 40s. But last year, birthrates fell for all women under 40, but remained flat for women in their 40s.
He replaced Mickey Mantle.Art Sharrock, baseball's oldest living major leaguer, is currently 100 years old.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Art Sharrock, the oldest living former major leaguer, turned 100 years old Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond. His baseball memories are still fresh. Called up by the New York Yankees to fill Mickey Mantle's roster spot, Sharrock roomed with Yogi Berra and was tasked with collecting the Hall of Famer's comic books from the hotel lobby each morning. He hardly cared. The three-time World Series winner still regularly wears the ring. He's in a nursing home now and they're throwing me a party for his birthday.
More than 100 pilot whales washed up on the coast of western Australia have been rescued, authorities say.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Authorities say more than 100 Canadian pilot whales that washed up on Australia's western coast have returned to the ocean and 29 have died on shore. Wildlife Officer Pia Courtis said ships and observation planes were monitoring the rescued whales in case they returned to shore. Local whale researcher Ian Wiese joined hundreds of volunteers who helped rescue the whale from Toby's Cove, near the tourist town of Dunsborough. He worked for an hour to keep the whales alive, but suddenly the surviving whales swam out to sea. A team of wildlife officials, marine scientists and veterinarians arrived on the scene first and reported that 26 of the up to 160 stranded whales had died.
The Rolling Stones to perform at New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024, opening Thursday
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is set for the Rolling Stones, and it looks like the third time around will be the charm. The festival spans his two weekends and kicks off on Thursday, with dozens of acts scheduled to perform on 14 stages. The Stones will perform next Thursday, but tickets for that day's musical performances have long been sold out. Festival organizers thought the band was set to perform at the 50th Jazz Festival in 2019, but the performance was canceled after lead singer Mick Jagger underwent heart surgery. They tried again in 2021, but a spike in coronavirus cases ultimately forced them to cancel the fest.
Two military horses left in critical condition after fleeing across London
LONDON (AP) – British government officials say two riderless military horses that were spooked by construction noise and ran for miles through the streets of London have undergone surgery and are in critical condition. Defense Minister James Cartridge said Thursday that the pair were among four horses that escaped during Wednesday's exercise near Buckingham Palace. They raced through the streets of central London during the morning rush hour, throwing riders and causing havoc. The British military said one of the horses had been taken to an equine hospital. Three of the soldiers who were thrown from the horse were hospitalized, but are expected to make a full recovery.
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