Michelle Trachtenberg died a natural death from complications of diabetes, the New York City medical examiner’s office said Wednesday.
There was no autopsy performed, but toxicology test results gave additional clarity, according to the medical examiner’s office.
The Gossip Girl actress was found dead in her apartment in Columbus Circle in February at the age of 39.
Previously, Trachtenberg’s family objected to an autopsy for religious reasons. Because there was no suspicion of foul play or criminality associated with the actress’s death, the medical examiner did not overrule the family’s objection and limited the investigation to an external examination.
Trachtenberg made her acting debut as a child star with roles in Nickelodeon projects, including the television series The Adventure of Pete & Pete and the film Harriet the Spy.
The actress gained prominence first for her role as Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which she played from 2000 to 2003.
She found further success as Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl from 2008 to 2012. For her role, she was nominated as the choice TV villain at the Teen Choice Awards in 2012.
Friends and co-stars of Trachtenberg, including Blake Lively, Rosie O'Donnell, Chace Crawford and more mourned the actress after her death.
(WASHINGTON) -- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he expects President Donald Trump's tariffs policy to cause higher inflation and slower economic growth, complicating potential central bank efforts to ease the fallout.
"The level of the tariff increases announced so far is significantly larger than anticipated. The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth," Powell told the audience at the Economic Club of Chicago.
Powell's remarks immediately sent stocks lower as investors digested the top central banker's concern about the tariffs.
Within minutes, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 690 points, or 1.7%, more than tripling losses suffered over the course of the day before Powell's comments. At the close of trading, the Dow dropped 1.7%.
The S&P 500 dropped 2.2% at market close, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq plunged 3%. Both indexes deepened losses suffered earlier in the day.
Stocks had fallen in early trading on Wednesday after chipmaker Nvidia disclosed it was recording a $5.5 billion charge in accordance with a new Trump administration restriction on exports to China.
Wednesday's address marked Powell's first public remarks since Trump last week paused his so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on most countries for 90 days. Stocks soared minutes after Trump's announcement, recovering much of the losses suffered in the aftermath of the "Liberation Day" tariffs start a week earlier. It amounted to one of the most volatile weeks in the history of Wall Street.
"Markets are struggling with a lot of uncertainty and that means volatility," Powell said on Wednesday. Still, he added, the volatility reflected the significance of the policy changes, rather than abnormal behavior in the markets.
"They're functioning just about as you'd expect them to function," Powell said.
At the same time Trump paused some tariffs last week, he also increased tariffs on China, bringing levies on Chinese goods to a cumulative level of 145%. In response, China hiked tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%, escalating a trade war between the world's two largest economies.
Powell said earlier this month that he expected Trump's tariff policy would hike prices and slow economic growth, while noting that key indicators "still show a solid economy."
Policy changes implemented by the White House have contributed to a "highly uncertain outlook," Powell said.
Last month, the Fed opted to hold interest rates steady, even as the central bank said it expected higher inflation and slower economic growth than it had forecast in December. The Fed will announce its next interest-rate decision on May 7.
Powell on Wednesday indicated that the Fed may approach interest rates with restraint as policymakers observe the economic effects of Trump's tariffs.
"The U.S. economy is still in a solid position," Powell said. "For the time being, we are well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustments to our policy stance."
(NEW YORK) -- Fyre Festival 2 has been "postponed," according to the organizers.
Billy McFarland, who was behind the initial Fyre Festival in the Bahamas, was convicted of wire fraud in connection with the failed 2017 festival.
McFarland's new event, which was scheduled to take place in Mexico from May 30 to June 2, was being advertised under the slogan "FYRE Festival 2 is real," with tickets starting at $1,400.
A message sent to a ticket holder said, "The event has been postponed and a new date will be announced. We have issued you a refund. Once the new date is announced, at that time, you can repurchase if it works for your schedule."
Fyre Festival 2 tickets went on sale in February.
At the time, McFarland said a statement, "I'm sure many people think I'm crazy for doing this again. But I feel I'd be crazy not to do it again."
"After years of reflection and now thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for FYRE 2," he added.
Like the initial Fyre Festival event, McFarland's Fyre Fest 2 promised "an electrifying celebration of music, arts, cuisine, comedy, fashion, gaming, sports, and treasure hunting -- all set in the stunning location of Isla Mujeres, Mexico," according to the event's website.
"Experience unforgettable performances, immersive experiences, and an atmosphere that redefines creativity and culture," the festival's website continued.
Leading up to the festival, Mexico officials with the Quintana Roo Tourism Department and the Playa Del Carmen government said "no event of that name" was to be held there.
Bernardo Cueto, tourism secretary of the State of Quintana Roo, where Isla Mujeres is located, told ABC News over a phone call that his agency would be the one giving permission for that kind of festival, but Fyre Fest 2 was not something he was informed about, nor was an event by that name happening in Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres.
At the time, the official government X account for Playa del Carmen also posted a statement and confirmed that the event wasn't happening.
"The municipal government of Playa del Carmen, informs that no event with that name will be held in our city," the statement said. "After a responsible review of the situation, it was confirmed that there is no registration, planning or conditions that indicate the realization of such an event in the municipality."
The statement continued, "This municipal government is acting with responsibility and commitment, always with the priority placed on public order, security and family coexistence. We reiterate that any official information will be communicated directly and in a timely manner through the corresponding channels."
McFarland, however, countered on April 4, sharing on the festival's Instagram account a timeline of conversations with the government of Playa Del Carmen and shared what appeared to be screenshots of conversations and permits for the event.
"All media reports suggesting our team has not been working with the government of PDC are simply inaccurate and based on misinformation," he wrote on the account. "FYRE has operated as a good partner with PDC government and has followed the proper processes and procedures to lawfully host an event."
ABC News' Tonya Simpson, Anne Laurent, Aaron Katersky and Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
(WASHINGTON) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency has referred information about New York Attorney General Letitia James to the Justice Department regarding a loan on James' Virginia property, according to a letter obtained by ABC News.
William Pulte, the director of the FHFA, alleges in his letter to the Justice Department, dated April 14, that James listed her Norfolk, Virginia property as her "principal residence" in August of 2023, "despite being a statewide public office holder in the state of New York at that same time and primarily residing in the state of New York."
The FHFA alleges in the letter that a July 2024 building permit "lists her New York property as the 'JAMES RESIDENCE' and states 'Remain Occupied'."
"At the time of the 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase and mortgage, Ms. James was the siting [sic] Attorney General of New York and is required by law to have her primary residence in the state of New York – even though her mortgage applications list her intent to have the Norfolk, VA property as her primary home," according to the letter. "It appears Ms. James’ property and mortgage-related misrepresentations may have continued to her recent 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase in order to secure a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms."
Pulte, whom Trump appointed in March to lead the FHFA, further alleges in the letter that James "appears to have falsified records in order to meet certain lending requirements and receive favorable loan terms," which he says "could be violations of the criminal code," including wire, mail and bank fraud "and/or other relevant state and federal laws."
The letter concludes by stating that the FHFA "look[s] forward to cooperating with the Department of Justice to support any actions that the Department of Justice finds appropriate."
“Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this Administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution," a spokesperson for James' office said in a statement provided in response to an ABC News request for comment. "She will not be intimidated by bullies – no matter who they are.”
James' office filed a business fraud suit against Trump and his organization in 2022, which resulted in a February 2024 ruling against Trump and fines in excess of $350 million. Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to lying under oath in the civil trial and served five months in prison.
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County officials announced Wednesday afternoon that all non-emergency Smith County Offices will be closed for business on Friday April 18, for Good Friday. These offices will be back open for normal business hours on Monday, April 21.
AUSTIN — A real estate developer, whose relationship with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was at the center of the Republican’s historic impeachment trial in 2023 and a recently-ended federal corruption investigation, was sentenced Wednesday to five years’ supervised release and fined $1 million for lying to a financial institution.
Nate Paul, 38, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge David Ezra to serve four months’ home confinement at night, but he is allowed to leave for work and other appointments during the day. Paul had faced up to six months in prison under a previous plea agreement.
Paul’s attorney, Gerry Morris, did not immediately respond to emails requesting comment. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas declined comment.
Paul was accused by federal prosecutors of overstating his assets and understating his liabilities while seeking loans in 2017 and 2018.
Paul had claimed that federal investigators acted improperly when they raided his Austin home in 2019. He later sought help from Paxton, and the relationship and dealings between the two men played a prominent role in state lawmakers impeaching Paxton, who was later acquitted in the Senate.
Paxton has long denied wrongdoing and was not mentioned in federal indictments against Paul.
A close ally of President Donald Trump, Paxton is now running for U.S. Senate in the Republican primary against Sen. John Cornyn.
A separate federal criminal investigation of Paxton over his relationship and dealings with Paul was quietly ended by President Joe Biden’s administration in late 2024 with no charges. Paxton has called that investigation a “bogus witch hunt.”
Earlier this month, a state district judge awarded more than $6 million to four former Paxton aides who were fired in retaliation for reporting allegations that he was using his office to accept bribes from Paul.
(NEW YORK) -- A United Airlines flight experienced an engine fire shortly after takeoff that was apparently caused by a rare rabbit strike.
United Flight 2325 had departed Denver International Airport en route to Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday when the incident occurred.
LiveATC audio documents the flight crew asking that the plane be inspected for an engine fire and being told that it was a rabbit that apparently got sucked into an engine.
"Rabbit through the number 2, that'll do it," the pilot responded.
The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 153 passengers and six crew members.
"There was a loud bang, and a significant vibration in the plane," passenger Scott Wolff told "Good Morning America."
The plane proceeded to climb, Wolff said.
"Every few moments there was a backfire coming from the engine, a giant fireball behind it," he said. "Everyone in the plane then started to panic."
Wyatt McCurry saw the flames from the ground at the Denver airport.
"My stomach dropped and I just thought, 'I'm going to see a plane go down,'" he told "Good Morning America."
The flight safely headed back to Denver.
"Our flight from Denver to Edmonton (UA2325) returned safely to Denver to address a possible wildlife strike," United said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane returned around 8:05 p.m. local time on Sunday "after the crew reported striking an animal while departing."
The passengers continued to Edmonton on a new aircraft, the airline said.
The FAA is investigating.
In general, wildlife strikes are fairly common, with the FAA reporting more than 20,000 in the United States last year.
Among those, there were only four rabbit strikes reported, including one at the Denver International Airport, according to the FAA. The vast majority are bird strikes.
AUSTIN – The Dallas Morning News reports A proposal to ban public school displays of unapproved flags is heading to the Texas House after passing the Senate on Tuesday in a 23-8 vote. Public schools would only be allowed to display a dozen specific flags, including those of the United States, Texas, the armed forces, flags representing colleges and universities, a school’s official flag and flags that are temporarily displayed as part of required class curriculum. The list of approved flags do not include flags representing LGBTQ pride or transgender people. If enacted, schools that violate the bill and fail to report a remedy within a certain timeframe would be subject to a $500 daily fine. Shortly before the vote, Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, told her colleagues she would oppose the bill because it targets LGBTQ students and teachers.
“It’s truly devastating to me that this bill fails to distinguish between messages of hate and those of community,” Cook said on the Senate floor. “If pride flags are political, then so are the values of respect and belonging. Our students deserve better than a false neutrality.” In a committee report released earlier this month laying out the bill’s intent, Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, said her proposal addresses concerns over political or ideological classroom displays — such as pride flags, Confederate flags, Blue Lives Matter flags and Black Lives Matter banners — that have led to administrative bans, protests and lawsuits. Campbell cited as an example a North Texas high school where students staged a walkout after administrators removed rainbow “safe space” stickers and pride flags. “Similar incidents across the state illustrate the divisiveness and disruption that competing political symbols can generate in school settings,” Campbell wrote. “S.B. 762 ensures schools prioritize education and shared civic values by establishing a uniform standard that prevents political symbol conflicts, maintaining a neutral learning environment.”
HOUSTON – The Houston Chronicle reports leaders of Texas ports and the companies that rely on the ports have spent the past two weeks of tariff upheaval doing what the ship captains do practically every minute of every day: Study the information and keep an eye on the horizon. The one thing they agree on is nobody really knows for sure what the conditions will be for very long at the 23 Texas ports that by many estimates generate more than one-quarter of the state’s gross domestic product. A few predict calm seas. Others see nothing but icebergs. More still cannot even predict what waves and thunderstorms lie ahead. “We’re trying to assess the situation,” Port of Freeport Executive Director Phyllis Saathoff told the crowd at a Greater Houston Port Bureau luncheon on April 10.
Despite the uncertainty of global trade markets as the Trump administration announces American tariff policy, then alters it, and then alters it again, port officials in Freeport and Houston have so far declined to elaborate on what immediate steps they are taking — including the possibility of slowing investment on their own docks or reducing their workforces. Citing the uncertainty and near-daily changes in what tariffs will be in effect and what specific goods will cost, they said it is too soon to either sound an alarm or give the all-clear. “Looking ahead, we will approach our work as we always have,” Port Houston public relations director Lisa Ashley said in a statement. Companies, however, are not waiting to take action, and have been doing so since before tariffs were even discussed, said Tim Sensenig, CEO of TMSfirst, a Spring-based transportation management company whose software helps companies with some 20 million shipments globally each day. Many companies — Sensenig noted the apparel industry — have already changed their patterns to get inventory moved in before tariffs can take effect. Others, such as Apple’s widely reported last-minute flight of Iphones, were temporary measures as they examined the long-term possibilities. “The last thing they want to do is be caught with their pants down with no inventory,” he said of retailers. Other sectors are taking more decisive steps. The impacts of proposed tariffs on auto imports and exports are already leading to layoffs at some automotive factories, as well as declines in the number of cars arriving at Texas ports.
AUSTIN – The Guardian reports that Donald Trump’s plans to expand infrastructure to produce artificial intelligence in the US could face years of delays with the Republican-controlled Texas statehouse poised to pass legislation that imposes regulatory hurdles on data centers. The Trump administration earlier this year announced that a joint venture called Stargate would construct a total of 20 data centers to provide computing power for AI as part of an effort to help the US compete against China for leadership of the technology and spur investors to pursue AI projects. The companies behind Stargate – OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle and MGX, an investor backed by the United Arab Emirates, which together have pledged up to $500bn – chose Texas, with its loose regulation and pre-existing energy infrastructure for the first data center.
But the construction of future data centers to support Trump’s AI agenda faces headwinds as a result of the Texas legislation SB6, which introduces new regulatory measures including a six-month review process in addition to the existing 6-18 month evaluation period with the goal of protecting its own power grid in the face of storms. The effects of the proposed bill are two-pronged: the regulatory measures could result in a maximum 24-month approval process, while the requirement to pay additional fees to the Texas grid operator and install backup generators would dramatically raise construction costs. That could lead tech companies to scale back planned construction of data centers in the state, according to equity analysts. Stargate, for instance, has started building its first 10 data centers in Abilene, Texas, but it is unclear if the second set of 10 would be subject to the bill. And if tech companies do not build in Texas, they might not build the data centers at all, directly hampering Trump’s AI initiative. Other states, from Wyoming to Wisconsin to Tennessee, have courted those construction projects, but lack the infrastructure that exists in Texas.
LINDALE – Smith County Sheriffs Department was involved in a high-speed chase late Wednesday morning leading to the arrest of a suspect firing guns at Hideaway Lake. According to Smith County Sheriff’s Sgt Larry Christian, the first report came in about 11 AM. It said that the suspect, 45-year-old Mason Lowell Ahrens of Hideway, had been firing gun shots out of a pickup truck towards unidentified buildings at Hideaway. By 11-30, deputies pursued Ahrens on highway 69 south through Lindale. He was arrested near Tyler Pipe south of Interstate 20. No injuries were reported.
Nate Bargatze has been tapped to host TV's biggest night.
The comedian will host the 77th Emmy Awards, which honor excellence in television. CBS will broadcast the show live on both coasts from the Peacock Theater in LA on Sept. 14. The show will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
“It’s a huge honor to be asked to host such an iconic awards show and I’m beyond excited to work with CBS to create a night that can be enjoyed by families around the world,” Bargatze said in a press release.
Television Academy chair Cris Abrego called Bargatze "one of the hottest comics in the business," saying his brand of humor "deeply resonates with multi-generational audiences around the globe.”
“We are thrilled to be able to leverage his one-of-a-kind perspective to entertain TV fans watching this year’s Emmy telecast,” Abrego continued.
Nominations for the 77th Emmys will be announced on July 15. The Television Academy will stream the announcement live at 8:30 a.m. PT on Emmys.com.
(SELIGMAN, Ariz.) -- An Arizona toddler who had been missing for 16 hours was found safe by a rancher's dog on Tuesday, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.
Boden Allen, 2, was first reported missing just before 5 p.m. on Monday, after he wandered off from his family's home in Seligman, a rural area approximately 8100 miles north of Phoenix, officials said.
The incident began after Boden was playing with his mother outside their home and followed her back inside when she went to change his sibling's diaper, according to Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jeff Newnum. Boden returned outside to play and "just disappeared," Newnum told ABC News.
"Within 10 minutes of her changing the diaper, having him right next to her, she looks down, he's nowhere to be found inside," he said.
Deputies, accompanied by over 40 search and rescue members, arrived on the property and scanned the area for Boden for about 16 hours, officials said. During their search, officials noted that they spotted two mountain lions "among the terrain the boy traveled."
On Tuesday morning, rancher Scotty Dunton reported that "a young child had walked onto his property," according to the sheriff's office.
The rancher said his dog, Buford, spotted the boy while he was patrolling the property -- which is approximately seven miles away from the Allen family home -- for coyotes.
"He loves kids so I can imagine he wouldn't leave him when he found him," the rancher said in a video shared by the sheriff's office.
Buford, an Anatolian Pyrenees, remained at Boden's side, garnering Dunton's attention. The boy told the rancher he had slept under a tree, officials said.
"This dog did not obviously view Boden as a threat, but realized that there was something wrong, and instinctively went to this child," Newnum said.
Dunton, who was aware of the search and rescue efforts going on in the area, quickly notified officials that he found Boden, according to Newnum.
"I can't believe that kid made it that far, it's seven miles and that's if he walked in a straight line," Dunton said. "There's three big mountain ranges between here and his house and big valleys. For a 2-year-old to do that, that's insane."
Newnum said the sheriff's office plans on visiting Buford in about a week with a big steak wrapped in a bow.
(NEW YORK CITY) -- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday that a grand jury handed down a number of criminal indictments against multiple state correctional officers in connection to the March 1 beating death of an inmate, Messiah Nantwi.
"The tragic death of Mr. Nantwi at the hands of correction officers, who are responsible for protecting the incarcerated population is deeply, deeply disturbing," Hochul said in a video released by her office on Tuesday. "The loss of any life in our correctional facilities is one too many."
Nantwi, 22, was serving a five-year sentence for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon at Mid-State Correctional Facility, a medium-security state prison in the town of Marcy in Oneida County, New York.
Hochul said that she "immediately terminated" the corrections officers who were indicted in connection to Nantwi's death. The officer's names have not been released so far and it is unclear how many officers were indicted. ABC News reached out to Hochul's office but a request for comment was not returned.
"I express my condolences -- my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Nantwi and our hearts go out to all of them in the aftermath of this horrific crime," Hochul said.
The termination of the correctional officers comes after a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed to ABC News on March 26 that 15 persons of interest were identified in connection to Nantwi's death.
Three of those people were suspended without pay and 12 were placed on administrative leave with pay, "pending the results of an ongoing internal disciplinary review process," the spokesperson said.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision released the names of the persons of interest, including guards from the adjacent Mid-State and Marcy facilities, but it is unclear who was indicted.
A special prosecutor -- Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick -- was assigned to investigate this case after State Attorney General Letitia James's Office of Special Investigation (OSI) announced last month that her office is recusing itself from the investigation into Nantwi's death, citing "internal conflicts."
In a March 6 statement, James explained that her office's Division of State Counsel represents state agencies, including the Department of Corrections and correction officers.
"OSI checks for any internal conflicts that could challenge the integrity of a future investigation," she said. "When the corrections officers involved in the events preceding Mr. Nantwi's death were identified, OSI confirmed that four of those corrections officers are defendants in other matters where they are or were represented by attorneys in OAG's State Counsel Division."
Nantwi's in-custody death came amid a massive correction officer strike over working conditions in New York prisons that lasted for 22 days and led to the firing of more than 2,000 prison guards.
His death was also the second in Oneida County prisons since December 2024 when Robert Brooks, an inmate incarcerated at the Marcy Correctional Facility -- which is across the street from Mid-State -- was fatally beaten at the prison.
In February, 10 former prison guards were charged in Brooks' death.
Benedict Cumberbatch is married to Olivia Colman in the official trailer for The Roses.
Searchlight Pictures released the trailer for director Jay Roach's dark comedy film on Wednesday.
It follows the seemingly picture-perfect married life between Theo and Ivy, played by Cumberbatch and Colman, respectively. Beneath their perfect facade, however, tension lingers as Theo's career takes a hit and Ivy's own life ambitions begin to soar.
"For you, dear, I'd do anything," Cumberbatch's Theo says at the beginning of the trailer.
As it goes on, we see Ivy's career as a famous chef and cookbook writer take off while Theo is fired from his own job.
"I suppose sometimes I do hate you," Theo says. After Ivy looks at him incredulously, he immediately follows that with: "Sporadic hatred."
The Roses is inspired by the Danny Devito-directed 1989 movie The War of the Roses. Poor Things screenwriter Tony McNamara penned the screenplay.
Andy Samberg, Allison Janney, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, Zoë Chao, Belinda Bromilow and Kate McKinnon also star.
The Roses blooms in movie theaters on Aug. 29.
Disney is the parent company of Searchlight Pictures and ABC News.
