KTBB News, Weather, Talk – Page 4 – KTBB News, Weather, Talk

Mariah Carey to return as guest star on ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’

Poster for 'The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder' (Disney)

Mariah Carey is returning to The Proud Family, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

She is set to guest star in the fourth and final season of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, premiering July 29 on Disney+. Mariah previously appeared on season 3 of the original series, voicing an animated version of herself. Her character's pet monkey, Francois, is accidentally switched with Oscar's monkey, Mr. Chips, during a visit at Trudy's veterinarian office. Francois is then subjected to life at Proud Snacks, while Mr. Chips enjoys a life of luxury.

Mariah is one of several guest stars joining the reboot for the fourth season, including Chlöe Bailey, Kym Whitley and J.B. Smoove. Recurring guest stars Anthony Anderson and Tiffany Haddish will reprise their roles as Ray Ray and Ms. Hill, respectively.

According to a press release, the new season will find "the Proud family at a life-changing turning point," with Penny's courage and identity put to the test as the family navigates challenging and chaotic circumstances.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Trump administration can replace slavery exhibit at President’s House in Philadelphia, appeals court rules

President's House Site, Memorial Wall. The names of the nine enslaved members of President Washington's household who lived at this site. (NPS)

(WASHINGTON) -- As the city of Philadelphia fights to preserve the slavery memorial at the President's House, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration can remove and replace the exhibit at the site of President George Washington's former home.

The Thursday ruling comes after the Trump administration stated in a court filing on Wednesday that it removed panels at the exhibit -- some of which were restored in February following a judge's order -- because they allegedly "disparage" Americans.

The outdoor memorial, "From Enslavement to Emancipation," is located at Independence National Historic Park. The exhibit tells the stories of the nine people enslaved by Washington.

The unanimous appeals court decision tosses a February district court ruling that ordered the National Parks Service (NPS) to restore the panels that were removed from the site. NPS took down the outdoor memorial in January before it was partially restored in February after a district court ruling, but not all materials were returned to the site.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that while the city had standing to sue, the lower court wrongly interpreted the contract claims brought by the city and determined that they don't have merit.

"In sum, the City has standing to sue because it alleges that its contractual rights were violated, but we should not, as the District Court did, mistake that jurisdictional determination for a conclusion that the City's underlying statutory and contract claims have merit. They do not," the appeals court ruling said.

ABC News reached out to the city of Philadelphia but requests for comment were not immediately returned.

Asked about the appeals court ruling and about a potential timeline for replacing the exhibit, a spokesperson for the Interior Department on Thursday provided ABC News with a three-word statement: "Trust in Trump."

The city of Philadelphia argued in a lawsuit filed in January that by removing the panels "without notice," NPS violated various congressional laws, as well as a 2006 agreement NPS made with the city and laid out the terms for building the exhibit, which opened to the public in 2010.

Amid pending litigation, NPS shared proposed changes to the panels at the slavery memorial that were published on its website in April.

The images shared by NPS don't show photos of the original panels, but share proposed new panels and revised text. Of note, are proposed changes to the panels titled "Presidents Washington and Adams on Slavery," and "The Constitution and Slavery."

The appeals court's ruling said, "These new panels are full of historical context. They highlight the momentous events that took place in the President's House and the other sites at Independence National Historical Park. They acknowledge the evil of slavery, including its injustices and hypocrisies, and, by telling the story of the nine slaves that Washington kept in the President's House, remind us of their essential humanity."

The ruling added, "Given all these developments, we cannot agree with the District Court that the exhibit removal six months ago was NPS's last word on the matter."

Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), the advocacy group founded by attorney Michael Coard in 2002 to advocate for the building of the memorial, criticized the [proposed changes in an April statement, calling the replacement panels "deeply offensive."

"The National Park Service's most recent posting of proposed replacement panels at the President's House Slavery Memorial is deeply offensive and represents yet another troubling attempt to distort and censor American history," the group's statement said, criticizing NPS for not consulting with ATAC before proposing the new panels.

"What we are seeing now is not restoration--it is revision," ATAC's statement added. "It is an attempt to sanitize history and present a version of the past that is more comfortable, but far less truthful."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Interior Dept. told ABC News in a statement on April 9 that the changes underscore the administration's commitment to "celebrating and acknowledging the full breadth of our nation's history."

"The hard work and sacrifices of the men and women who built this nation deserve to be remembered and honored," the spokesperson said. "By telling the full story, every triumph, every challenge, and every step towards a more perfect union we strengthen our shared understanding and ensure that future generations inherit not just the land we love, but the truth of the journey that brought us here."

The Interior Department told ABC News in several statements that the removal of the exhibit was made in compliance with a March 27, 2025, executive order in which President Donald Trump ordered the Interior Dept. to remove content that cast the United States' "founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light."

In the public filing on Wednesday, which stems from a separate lawsuit challenging the removal of materials at national parks across the country, the Interior Department indicated that while most glass panels at the slavery exhibit were restored in February after a judge's order, the "large format metal panels were damaged and not restored."

The government did not specify in the list the process for recreating the metal panels, writing "TBD" in that section.

Partial solar eclipse to be visible in some parts of the US this summer

A global map of the shadow path for the August 12, 2026, total solar eclipse. (NASA)

(NEW YORK) -- Some lucky stargazers in the United States will have an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the next solar eclipse, according to astronomy experts.

On Aug. 12, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from some parts of the U.S., from Alaska to North Carolina, according to NASA. Most of Canada, much of Europe and northwestern Africa will also be able to see the partial eclipse, according to NASA.

Those in the U.S. and southern Canada will only see a small "bite" taken out of the solar disk as the moon clips the sun, NASA said.

But the full show -- a total solar eclipse -- will pass over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal and northern Spain, according to the National Solar Observatory.

A sunset eclipse will even be visible for viewers along the western part of the eclipse path, from mainland Europe to Africa, according to NASA. A sunset solar eclipse occurs when the sun is setting while still partially eclipsed.

After Aug. 12, the next total solar eclipse will be visible on Aug. 2, 2027, in southern Spain and North Africa.

The difference between a total and partial solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon slips in front of the sun. Viewers located in the center of the moon's shadow then experience a total solar eclipse, according to NASA. The moment of totality is when the moon completely covers the sun.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when watchers are inside the moon's shadow but outside the path of totality, according to NASA.

When the solar eclipse will occur

In the U.S., the maximum of the partial solar eclipse will occur in Anchorage at 8:21 a.m. local time but midday on the mainland. The maximum will occur in Bangor, Maine, at 1:53 p.m.; in Boston at 1:55 p.m.; in Detroit at 1:36 p.m.; in New York City at 1:54 p.m.; and in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., at 1:53 p.m., according to NASA.

The total solar eclipse will occur at midday in a small, remote region of northern Russia. From Greenland to Iceland, totality will occur from late afternoon to early evening.

In Spain and northwestern Portugal, the sun will be fully eclipsed during the late evening, shortly before sunset, according to NASA. A sunset solar eclipse is a "rare spectacle," according to Space.com.

How to watch the eclipse safely

Anyone who plans to watch the partial solar eclipse will need safe solar viewing glasses to protect their eyes, according to NASA.

UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial rays indoors, can damage the surface tissue, cornea and lens of the eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The only time viewers can look directly at the eclipse without eye protection is during the brief moments of totality, when the moon completely covers the sun. It is never safe to look directly at a partial solar eclipse without eye protection.

Viewers can also use handheld solar viewers and other safe solar filters that block out most of the Sun’s light and prevent eye damage.

An indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector to cast images of the Sun, can also be used to see the partial phases of the eclipse, NASA said. The device has a small opening that projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface.

It is not safe to look at the eclipse through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer because the concentrated solar rays could burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury, NASA said.

Cornyn helps introduce bill to strengthen electric grid reliability

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators John Cornyn, and Alex Padilla (D-CA) today introduced legislation that would reauthorize Preventing Outages With Enhanced Resilience and Operations Nationwide (POWER ON) Act. The law will help weatherize electric grids across the nation, according to Sen. Cornyn.

“Texas is no stranger to extreme weather events, and it’s imperative that we have the infrastructure capable of withstanding the gamut of everything from freezing cold temperatures to sweltering heat waves, flooding, and devastating wildfires,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the grid resilience program Senator Padilla and I created, which is essential to preventing outages and ensuring Texans can depend on the power they need to weather any storm.”

“As we continue to grapple with threats to the electric grid from extreme weather, investing in projects to improve the flexibility and resiliency of the power system is crucial,” said Sen. Padilla. “The GRIP program is a major success, driving improvements and innovation to make the electric grid more secure and efficient. Our bipartisan effort will continue to help us keep the lights on and keep costs down for future generations.”

Background:

In February 2021, record amounts of snow, ice, and prolonged sub-zero temperatures overwhelmed the Texas power grid and forced the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to shut off electricity for more than four million Texans, leaving them without heat for days on end. More than 200 lives were lost. This disaster laid bare the vulnerabilities of our electric grid infrastructure and the need for electricity providers and suppliers to protect against future extreme weather events. Insufficient grid resiliency increases the likelihood of blackout events, which threaten lives and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.

Following Winter Storm Uri, Senator Cornyn introduced the Preventing Outages with Enhanced Resilience and Operations Nationwide (POWER ON) Act, now law, which established the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide critical resources to help states weatherize electric grids.

This legislation would reauthorize the grid resilience grant program at the DOE to prevent a lapse in federal funding that is essential to protecting energy facilities and energy infrastructure against future extreme weather events.

Stocks rise on Wall Street, erasing much of their loss from a day earlier

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose on Wall Street Thursday and erased most of their losses from a day earlier to notch weekly gains.

The market’s reversal was powered by sharp gains for big technology companies. The decline on Wednesday was driven by anticipation that the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates this year in an effort to fight inflation.

On Thursday, stocks faced less pressure as bond yields eased and oil prices spent most of the day falling.

The S&P 500 rose 80.48 points, or 1.1%, to 7,500.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 72.15 points, or 0.1%, to 51,564.70. The Nasdaq composite surged 496.28 points, or 1.9%, to 26,517.93. Every major index notched weekly gains.

U.S. markets will be closed Friday for Juneteenth.

Technology stocks had some of the biggest gains and the most influence on the broader market’s rise. Intel surged 10.6% after President Donald Trump announced that the semiconductor giant will make chips for Apple in the U.S. Other big semiconductor companies gained ground. Nvidia rose 3% and Micron Technology jumped 8.7%.

On the losing end, SpaceX fell for the second straight day since its ballyhooed debut on the U.S. stock market last week. The Elon Musk-led rocket maker and AI company was down 3.6% following a 4.9% loss Wednesday.

Oil prices wavered after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Brent crude, the international standard, spent most of the day lower before settling 0.4% higher at $79.85 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude fell 0.2% to $75.85 per barrel.

Airlines had some of the bigger gains. American Airlines rose 3.7% and United Airlines rose 2.1%. Cruise line company Carnival jumped 3.2%.

Energy companies lost ground. Exxon Mobil fell 2.1% and Chevron fell 2.2%.

Prices for crude oil are still above roughly $70 per barrel from before the war, but are well below the $100-plus price from a few weeks ago.

Higher oil prices have been weighing on markets throughout the U.S. war with Iran. The current deal between the nations waives sanctions against Iran and allows it to sell its oil freely. It also opens up the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil supply is shipped.

“While investors are welcoming the agreement as a constructive step for geopolitical risk, uncertainty remains elevated around potential flare-ups, the pace of shipping normalization, control of the waterway, the cost of access, and the path forward for Iran’s nuclear program.” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial, in a research note.

Rising energy costs have been putting more pressure on already hot inflation. The average price of gasoline in the U.S. has dipped below $4 a gallon, but is still 25% higher from a year ago. Prices have been rising for a wide range of goods because of higher shipping costs.

Hotter inflation prompted the Federal Reserve to shift course from cutting its benchmark interest rate to likely raising rates by the end of the year. Lower interest rates can boost the economy by making borrowing easier for businesses and households, but it also tends to stoke inflation.

The Fed has been trying to balance its job of curbing inflation while supporting employment growth. The jobs market has remained relatively strong amid rising inflation, with low unemployment and solid job growth.

The central bank closed its two-day meeting on Wednesday by maintaining its benchmark interest rate at its current level. But it signaled that it might raise the rate at least once by December.

“This shift in the risk distribution helps explain why around half of the committee thought that an interest-rate hike this year might be needed,” said James McCann, senior economist at Edward Jones, in a research note.

The Fed’s stronger signal for an eventual rate hike prompted a jump in bond yields on Wednesday, but they eased on Thursday.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.45% from 4.49% late Wednesday. The yield on 2-year Treasury, which more closely tracks action by the Fed, fell to 4.18% from 4.20% late Wednesday.

Markets were mixed in Europe after closing lower Asia.

LAPD probing officer shooting that killed dog after 911 call

A dog was shot by a police officer inside this condo building on Jordan Avenue, in Los Angeles. (KABC)

(LOS ANGELES) -- The Los Angeles Police Department said it's investigating an incident in which an officer shot and killed a dog while answering a 911 call, which turned out to be a false alarm over a woman celebrating the New York Knicks' historic championship win on Saturday.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement Wednesday that the department is thoroughly investigating the incident, which he called "incredibly tragic," and vowed transparency.

Around 8:55 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to a 911 call of a woman screaming inside a condo in Canoga Park, the LAPD said.

Witnesses and the son of the woman, however, later told ABC News Los Angeles affiliate KABC that she was just celebrating the Knicks' victory that night.

The LAPD said that while officers were speaking with a resident in the apartment at the center of the 911 call, a "large dog was barking by her side at the officers." The dog was wearing a Knicks shirt, witnesses told KABC.

The woman closed her door momentarily after officers asked her to secure the dog, who was named Jameson, police said. After she reopened it, the dog exited the apartment and allegedly "charged at one of the officers," prompting one of them to open fire, according to the LAPD.

Cell phone video circulated online of a woman crying over the dog's body, shouting "We were just celebrating the Knicks."

The neighbor who called police told KABC that they felt guilty about calling 911, but sincerely thought the woman was in trouble.

McDonnell sympathized with Jameson's family.

"The loss of a pet is deeply personal. For many, a dog is not simply an animal; it is a companion, a source of comfort, and a member of the family," McDonnell said in his statement.

"There is no incident more serious than when an officer fires a service weapon. For this reason, the LAPD has a specialized division of investigators specifically trained to handle these types of incidents. A thorough, multi-layered examination of this weekend's incident in Canoga Park is already underway, but it will take time to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability," he added.

A memorial for Jameson was formed outside the condo and an online fundraiser has raised thousands of dollars for its family.

Local activists have called for more details about the incident, including body camera footage from the officers who responded to the call.

"The tragic killing of Jameson was unnecessary and unwarranted," Najee Ali, a senior organizer with the Los Angeles National Action Network, said during a news conference Tuesday.

"We demand immediate accountability, which can only happen through the prompt release of the body-worn camera footage and the names of the officers responsible for shooting and killing Jameson," he added.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also released a statement on Wednesday, saying that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

"Every life lost to violence is a tragedy, and we know that the devastating loss of Jameson will be felt by his family forever," she said.

Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George wins Democratic primary for DC mayor

(WASHINGTON) -- Janeese Lewis George won the Democratic primary for mayor of Washington, D.C., held earlier this week, according to a projection from the Associated Press on Thursday.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Flu outbreak among Air Force recruits at Joint Base San Antonio after Hegseth ends mandatory flu vaccine

An Influenza Vaccine is prepared for a patient, Sept. 12, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

(SAN ANTONIO) -- The basic training facility for the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, is experiencing a flu outbreak following the end of mandatory vaccination for all service members.

As of Wednesday, there are at least 159 known cases among recruits and two hospitalizations at Joint Base San Antonio, two sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. One source told ABC News the number of cases and hospitalizations may be higher.

The outbreak comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in April that the annual flu vaccine would be optional for all U.S. military personnel, both active and reserve.

Previously, the flu vaccine was mandatory, but the new policy is in line with a previous change of making the COVID-19 vaccine optional.

The Pentagon has granted the military services exceptions to the policy, so the flu vaccine can be required in certain cases.

An Air Force spokesperson confirmed the outbreak to ABC News and said in a statement that over the last three weeks there has been a "localized influenza outbreak among trainees at Basic Military Training."

"Medical professionals and Public Health officials have implemented mitigation measures to isolate and treat symptomatic trainees to reduce further exposure and continue to monitor the situation," the statement read. "Medical personnel are also monitoring trainees who were in close contact with sick members in case they become symptomatic."

The spokesperson said symptomatic trainees are receiving "the appropriate care" including antiviral medications such as Tamiflu.

"Once they are cleared by medical professionals they will return to training," the statement said.

Earlier this year, when Hegseth ended mandatory vaccination, he referred to the policy as "overly broad and not rational."

"Our new policy is simple: If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you are free to take it; you should. But we will not force you," Hegseth said.

The sources told ABC News that there is 40% flu vaccination rate among recruits at the San Antonio base since the mandate was lifted. Previously, the rate was nearly 100%.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told ABC News that the Defense Department recently granted exceptions to the policy for the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency (NSA) and Defense Health Agency (DHA) through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

"The decisions were based upon thorough risk assessments and are designed to maximize operational readiness, lethality, and force generation, while safeguarding at-risk populations," Parnell said. "The Army, Navy, Air Force, NSA, and DHA are responsible for implementing the [exceptions to the policy]. The Department remains committed to the health and readiness of our warfighters and civilian personnel."

The annual flu vaccine is currently recommended to everyone over 6 months old between September and the start of November. Although the typical flu season ends by February or March, people can become infected at any time.

People who travel internationally or live in group settings are at higher risk of transmitting and acquiring infectious diseases.

Public health specialists have warned that military members may suffer unnecessary complications from the flu after the vaccination mandate was ended and fear that severe cases will continue to climb in subsequent flu seasons if preventive vaccinations aren't given to those most at risk.

Evidence has shown that young recruits are much more vulnerable to severe infection from influenza compared to other service members, though lower than the general population due to the military having historically high immunization rates.

A study published last year by the Defense Health Agency found that from the 2010-2011 to the 2023-2024 flu seasons, the highest rate of influenza hospitalizations among active service members were among those under the age of 25, especially young recruits.

The flu vaccine has been required for the military since 1945, at the end of World War II, partly tied to the threat of biological warfare use by rival nations and as well as the devastation that the flu pandemic of 1918-1920 wreaked on U.S. troops, according to a 2022 analysis from Wright State University in Ohio and the U.S. Air Force.

It's estimated that between 20% and 40% of Army and Navy personnel fell ill, with more than 26,000 deaths among U.S. soldiers during the 1918-1920 flu pandemic.

After researchers noticed the effectiveness of the vaccine fading, the mandate was withdrawn in 1949. This was later found to be caused by abrupt and major changes to the flu virus -- and the mandate was reinstated in the early 1950s after the changes became "clearer and combatable," according to the analysis.

Compliance among military health care personnel has exceeded 95% in past years, compared to less than 75% among civilian health care personnel.

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ sequel in the works with Jim Carrey, Ron Howard

A photo of Jim Carrey. (Austin Hargrave)

Your heart may grow three sizes, because a sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas is in the works.

Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment are developing a live-action sequel to the 2000 holiday blockbuster film, ABC Audio has confirmed.

Jim Carrey is in talks to reprise his role as The Grinch in the new movie. Ron Howard, who directed the original film, is set to return at the helm.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas and this new, currently untitled film are, of course, based on the beloved book by Dr. Seuss. Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel are writing the new film's screenplay. The trio also wrote the 2003 live-action adaptation of The Cat in the Hat, which starred Mike Myers.

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas opened in theaters on Nov. 18, 2000, and earned over $345 million at the worldwide box office. It was the highest-grossing domestic release that year and won the Academy Award for best makeup.

Halle Bailey, Ludacris, CeeLo Green join cast of animated feature ‘Groove Tails’

Halle Bailey poses for a portrait during the 86th Annual Peabody Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on May 31, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Halle Bailey, Ludacris and CeeLo Green have lent their voices to the upcoming animated feature Groove Tails.

They joined a cast that also includes J.B. Smoove, Ansel Elgort, Alan Ritchson and Agnez Mo.

Based on a screenplay by Johnny Mack, and written and directed by Bob Logan, Groove Tails follows a young mouse who dreams of becoming an internationally famous dancer but lacks support from his father. That struggle leads him to a group of fellow misfits who, together, "discover their own unique rhythms while fighting to save the only place they’ve ever truly called home," according to Variety.

“Groove Tails is a celebration of individuality, perseverance and the universal language of music,” Logan tells the outlet. “We’ve assembled an extraordinary cast that brings incredible energy, humor and heart to these characters. This is the kind of movie audiences of all ages can enjoy together."

Groove Tails is currently in production and is expected to complete animation later this year.

Fatal hit-and-run trial pushed back

TYLER – In the case against a Tyler woman accused of fleeing the scene of a collision that killed a 19-year-old bicyclist, a judge on Wednesday granted a 30-day continuance. The defense requested the delay, which was granted during a pre-trial hearing in the 241st District Court.

Andrea Somer Tanner is accused of being involved in a collision that occurred on December 7 on East Fifth Street in Tyler. A car hit a 19-year-old man riding a bicycle and then drove away, according to arrest records. After being transported to a hospital, the victim died from his wounds. Continue reading Fatal hit-and-run trial pushed back

Time will tell with Iran.

So, we have a Memorandum of Understanding between the Trump administration and whomever it is that’s nominally running that broken, malfeasant, dishonest nation that we call Iran.

Already, the critics are weighing in. The usual suspects on the left are saying that Trump, after starting an “unnecessary war,” got nothing more than what Obama got from the JCPOA – a.k.a. the “Iran Deal” – back in 2015.

Here’s Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer:

After more than 100 days of bloodshed, 13 Americans killed, hundreds more wounded, tens of billions of dollars spent, what exactly did we get out of Trump’s failed war?”

Critics on the right are calling out Trump for not “finishing the job.” They argue, not unreasonably, that a purely diplomatic deal with Iran is impossible. An agreement signed on Monday will be violated early on Tuesday. Righty critics argue that only “boots on the ground” (how I detest that shopworn cliché) and a total military conquest of Iran can assure the world that Iran won’t resume its malfeasance at the first opportunity.

But there is exactly zero chance of “boots on the ground” (there it is again). Zip. Zilch. None.

With respect to Iran either not making or violating a deal, President Trump said this:

I let ‘em know, I said, look, if you don’t adhere to the agreement – I don’t want to do that – but we’re gonna bomb the hell out of you.”

Here’s how I’m calling it.

I said in this space last week that something had to give in Iran. I also recognize that the politics of the moment weigh heavily on the policy of the moment. If the Iranians have been “tapping us along” as we discussed last week, Trump may well be trying now to tap the Iranians along past the midterms. If he can, for the next 140 days or so, keep the Strait of Hormuz fully open and oil again flowing at market prices, it improves the (still long) odds of Republicans keeping control of Congress following the midterms.

As to Schumer and the rest of the critics on the left, what’s different from Obama’s JCPOA is that unlike what they thought about Obama, the Iranian theocrats know for certain that Donald Trump is a badass. They know that he will “bomb the hell out of them” if they don’t behave.

And unlike Obama’s deal, it’s not Obama making it. Nor is it Bush, Clinton, Bush or Biden – all of whom were willing at times to talk tough but never willing to act tough. And unlike the JCPOA in 2015, in 2026 Iran’s economy is on its knees while those now in charge there have fresh memories of how their predecessors died.

Will this deal work? Who knows? Time will tell. Critics from both sides may yet be proven right.

But something had to give, and something now has.

And for all the uncertainty, to an honest observer it’s undeniable that the U.S. is its best position vis. a. vis. Iran in nearly half a century.

Arrest made in 2024 arson case

TROUP – A Smith County Grand Jury has indicted a man for his involvement in the June 2024 arson of a Troup mobile home, leading to his arrest. The indictment states that Raymond Earl Thorndyke IV of Bonham was charged in August 2025 with arson of a mobile home located in the 700 block of East Paschal Street in Troup. According to the indictment, Thorndyke used a device to ignite an ignitable liquid inside the mobile home, setting it on fire. Natalie Nulf, a 35-year-old woman from Troup, was detained for the arson and entered a guilty plea in November 2025. Continue reading Arrest made in 2024 arson case

Truck crash leaves woman dead

RUSK – Charlotte Goff, 55, was identified by authorities as a bicyclist killed in an 18-wheeler collision on Wednesday night, according to Rusk police. The collision happened in the 1200 block of U.S. Highway 84 close to Loop 343 at approximately 8:50 p.m., according to investigators. Preliminary findings revealed that Goff was riding a bicycle when an 18-wheeler passed by and she fell into the road. Goff died at the scene after being hit by a truck. She was declared dead by Cherokee County Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy. Continue reading Truck crash leaves woman dead

Shooting leads to drug arrests

ATHENS – According to Henderson County authorities, a shooting investigation in Athens resulted in the discovery of suspected drugs and the arrest of three people on Tuesday night. Investigators were called to the 400 block of Jonathan Street in Athens on Tuesday after a building was hit by several bullets, according to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators found the following items in a backpack while they were helping at the scene: two big plastic bags that possibly contained cocaine, a big plastic bag containing what appeared to be marijuana, digital scales and smaller plastic bags that are consistent with the distribution of drugs. Additionally, a bottle that appeared to contain Xanax pills was taken from the home by investigators. Continue reading Shooting leads to drug arrests

Tyler gets national honor

TYLER – The City of Tyler Main Street program has been designated as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program. The program is one of 838 nationally recognized Accredited Main Street America organizations and is part of a network of more than 1,600 communities leading positive commercial district transformation efforts throughout the United States.

“Receiving our 2026 accreditation signals that our efforts in leading revitalization, partnerships, and programming are in line with a greater movement happening nationwide: transforming historic downtowns into destinations that a community can be proud of,” said Main Street Director Amber Varona. “Main Street has worked to ensure this forward progress is advocated for and that the everyday person living, working and playing Downtown is represented in these revitalization and programming efforts.” Continue reading Tyler gets national honor

Man arrested after 3-year-old boy critically injured in crocodile enclosure: Police

Stock photo of a crocodile. (Diego Kondratzky/500px/STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 3-year-old boy wound up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in eastern England, suffering serious injuries, according to police.

The "distressing incident" occurred Thursday afternoon at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-run farm and zoo located in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, police said.

The boy "ended up in the crocodile enclosure" and was taken to a local hospital, where he was in critical but stable condition, Cambridgeshire police said.

A 30-year-old man who is an apparent stranger to the child has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident, police said.

"At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances," Det. Insp. Verity McCann said in a statement. "We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other."

The incident remains under investigation.

Huntingdon Member of Parliament Ben Obese-Jecty said his "thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time."

"This is now a live criminal investigation and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online," he said in a statement on social media.

Johnsons of Old Hurst said its tropical house, which is home to multiple species of crocodiles and other reptiles, will remain closed until further notice "out of respect to the family."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today," Johnsons of Old Hurst said in a statement on social media Thursday.

Data shows student chronic absenteeism is declining. The solutions are complex

Students walk through the halls between classes at Rippowam Middle School on September 14, 2020 in Stamford, Connecticut. (John Moore/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) -- Nayleen Escalante-Villatoro, a sixth grader at Brookland Middle School in Washington, D.C., has struggled significantly with attending school.

She said whenever there are family problems that force her mother to take off work, she has to step in.

"Me and my older sibling stay home to watch the little ones," Nayleen told ABC News, adding, "It makes me feel stressed because I'm missing school and I'm not learning."

This not only frustrates Nayleen, but it also impacts her studies: "I have to do a lot of makeup work after all the missing assignments that I haven't done," she added.

Kids like Nayleen face a multitude of challenges at school -- when they're there.

From the rigors of learning how to read and write to addressing mental health concerns and outside distractions, students juggle more than just their classroom workloads. A combination of these issues and other societal factors has fueled an attendance crisis that's led to a spike in student chronic absenteeism -- defined as missing at least 10% of the school year -- in recent years, according to experts who spoke to ABC News.

While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.

Government officials are also collecting data on K-12 chronic absenteeism but the Department of Education recently told ABC News it couldn't yet provide it. Its National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) told ABC News in 2023 that chronic absenteeism increased from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, there's been no silver bullet to the problem. Different states have taken their own approach, from going door-to-door to check on students to providing high-impact tutoring at school. Education and health experts also emphasize family engagement, community relationships, extracurricular activities and outdoor recreation are potential solutions for chronically absent students.

Hedy Chang, CEO of Attendance Works, a nonprofit focused on addressing absenteeism, said that when kids aren't showing up to school, it's an indication that engagement isn't happening.

"When you treat it as a matter of engagement, that's when we build the relationships with families, which make them trust schools and it builds a relationship so that we can actually find out what are the underlying causes of why kids aren't showing up," Chang told ABC News.

United Family Advocates Executive Director Joanna Lack is calling for more attention to those underlying causes. Lack worked on the issue for many years as the chief performance officer in Camden, New Jersey, and has since transitioned to the non-profit organization dedicated to keeping families safe and together.

"We've been looking at the wrong problem instead of opening up the hood and saying 'What's actually going on here?'" she said.

Home life among 'constellation' of issues

Student absenteeism is often correlated with household or child welfare problems that impact the student's school life, according to UFA's Lack.

"Chronic absenteeism is like the symptom that you experience, but it's not the disease, and we've been treating it like it's the disease," Lack said.

The Department of Health and Human Services does not have a specific initiative targeting chronic absenteeism. However, Head Start and the Family Opportunity, Resilience, Grit, Engagement-Fatherhood (FORGE) program under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) both aim to improve outcomes in child welfare and enhance early childhood education, according to HHS officials.

Chang said there isn't an urgent need for new federally funded programs or aid, just better use of ones that are available.

"I need existing programs to think about how they use chronic absence data to collaborate and work together to support kids and families and make sure the kids who need their resources, or the schools that need their resources, are getting it," she said.

There's a "constellation" of issues that contribute to increased absences, from child welfare involvement to unstable housing, but Lack noted that families are complex and kids don't come in silos.

Activity makes a 'huge difference'

Nayleen is one of the thousands of students across the country who participate in extracurricular activities through the SCORES program, which creates safe environments where young people can build connections with their communities, according to its website. She said DC SCORES -- which provides soccer, poetry, and service-learning programs -- has helped her return to class more regularly.

She explained that playing soccer with DC SCORES has empowered her and she looks forward to talking to her coach after attending school.

"It helps me because whenever I'm going through stuff he will understand me," she said. "Sometimes he will help me. He will sit down and have a talk with me," she said, adding, "Whenever I'm down, he will ask me if I'm OK."

At the last month's inaugural National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation, which combined outdoor recreation industry and health leaders to promote using recreation as a pillar of public health, experts told ABC News that recess makes a "huge difference" for holistic growth in adolescents.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable President Jessica Turner emphasized that being outside is fundamental to student health.

"We've stepped back so far from incorporating the outdoors into our lives and to step back into it doesn't take very much," Turner told ABC News. "It's not a heavy lift."

Schools supporting parents and kids

Chang, of Attendance Works, said chronic absenteeism isn't inevitable.

She stressed that schools are starting to adopt more effective family engagement strategies for those dealing with attendance issues.

Shavar Jeffries, CEO of the KIPP Foundation, which operates the largest public charter school network in the nation, has utilized some simple yet effective solutions to correct absenteeism.

Jeffries told ABC News that when a student doesn't show up, they call the family "immediately."

"'Johnny, Mary, didn't come to school today. We really need them because they are going to miss an opportunity to learn,'" he said, adding "Then, frankly, sometimes we also say: You got to figure it out."

"Get your baby to school because they can't learn to fulfill that potential if you're not able to do that," Jeffries added.

Trump administration reveals list of civil rights, climate change materials removed from national parks

The names of enslaved people who lived in the President's House are carved into a monument in Independence National Park on August 9, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) -- The Trump administration revealed the list of materials that the National Park Service removed from parks across the country that relate to civil rights, diverse populations, science and the environment.

The list was made public on Wednesday as part of a court filing brought by various organizations. The Interior Department is appealing a federal judge’s order to restore those materials ahead of America 250 celebrations on July 4.

Included in the list are vague descriptions of the materials that were removed and their location. The list, however, does not provide images of the content that NPS found objectionable.

Examples of items that were removed include signs about climate change at parks like Acadia National Park in Maine and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in New York; materials involving civil rights at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and at the Medgar and Myrtle Evans Home National Monument in Jackson, Mississippi; materials involving slavery at the President’s House in Philadelphia and materials on women’s rights at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at the Gateway National Recreation Area in New York.

The list also includes reasons for the removals.

“Disparages Americans past or living” appears to be the reason provided by NPS for the removal of items related to civil rights, diverse communities, slavery and atrocities committed by the United States against Native Americans.

“Unrelated to beauty, abundance and grandeur of the national landscape” was listed as the reason for the removal of items related to science and the environment.

A spokesperson for the Interior Department confirmed to ABC News in a statement that the government is appealing the judge’s order to restore the items.

“We fully believe politically charged language denigrating our Founding Fathers is inappropriate and only further divides Americans,” the spokesperson said. “Through President Trump, we have encouraged Americans to visit our cultural and historic sites and engage in meaningful conversations about the moments that have shaped our country.”

The spokesperson added that the government seeks to “strengthen our shared understanding and ensure that future generations inherit not just the land we love, but the truth of the journey that brought us here.”

ABC News reached out to the Interior Department and NPS for further comment.

U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley ordered the restoration of the materials in a Friday ruling and cast their removal by NPS as “a dangerous precedent of censorship and sanitization.” She ordered the government to restore all items by July 3.

The federal government has filed a motion asking for an emergency stay pending appeal, which would block the restoration as the appeals court considers the case. In the motion, the government argued that the restoration of the materials would cause "irreparable harm.”

In response, Kelley ordered the government to produce the list of changes and the condition of the materials, writing that this information was necessary for her to consider the government’s argument.

The removal of materials, which relate to civil rights, diverse communities, science and the environment, was made in compliance with a March 27, 2025, executive order in which President Donald Trump ordered the Interior Department to remove content that cast the United States’ “founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light.”

The complaint filed in February challenges the removal of the materials and was brought by a coalition of organizations committed to preserving history, the parks and the environment.

"National parks belong to the American people and censorship of any kind goes against the values these places represent," said Alan Spears, a senior director " said Alan Spears, a senior director at the National Parks Conservation Association, one of organizations suing NPS. "Americans count on national parks to help us understand our full, rich history. Stories of triumph and tragedy alike deserve to be told out loud at parks."

Layoffs expected with contract ending

TYLER – Dozens of Tyler workers could lose their jobs by the end of June after John Soules Foods abruptly moved to end its sanitation contract with Fortrex, putting the company’s entire on?site workforce at risk.

Fortrex said it may have to shut down its operations at the facility effective June 26, which would affect all 84 Fortrex employees working at the John Soules Foods plant at FM 14 in Tyler.

The John Soules Foods plant itself will continue operating and is expected to bring in a different sanitation provider.

“The unforeseen business circumstances related to John Soules Foods, Inc.’s decision to immediately cease operations at its plant are not something that we anticipated,” Fortrex said in a statement. “We hope that this notice will be helpful to you in making a smooth transition.”

Ben Stiller confirms upcoming Knicks documentary with A24

Ben Stiller records a video during the third quarter in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center, on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Ben Stiller is working on a documentary about the New York Knicks.

The actor opened up about what he called a "dream project" in a new interview.

"Couldn’t be more excited to make this doc with @A24 and @HBO about the NY KNICKS!!!!!! #LETSGOKNICKS," the actor and director wrote in an X post Wednesday.

The Knicks' hometown held a ticker-tape parade on Thursday to celebrate their first NBA championship since 1973 last weekend.

Stiller, a Knicks fan, has been seen recording video footage with an iPhone courtside at recent games and throughout the last season.

He discussed the project with Knicks captain and MVP Jalen Brunson, Knicks guard Josh Hart and their co-host Matt Hillman on the latest Roommates Show podcast.

"We are officially making a documentary about the New York Knicks for HBO, and doing it with A24, and full cooperation of [Madison Square Garden] and NBA," Stiller said.

"Obviously, I've been shooting some stuff on my phone but it's kind of gonna be about all eras of the Knicks and this team, obviously, you know, there's a culmination here of something that has been going on for a long time," Stiller continued. "It's super exciting."

Stiller said he plans on filming more footage, including interviews with Knicks players, in the next Knicks season as well.

"There's so many great eras. And this team, I think, you know, when you look at the '70s championships, the '90s runs and then this team doing it again, I think there's just so much within that," said Stiller, adding that he wants to make a doc "for the fans."

A24 also confirmed to ABC News Wednesday that a "landmark" documentary about the Knicks and their legacy is in progress and the "multi-part series" will cover the NBA team's culture and history.

"The series will trace the full arc of the franchise from the 90s to the improbable, record-breaking run that finally returned a championship to New York. The series is expected to offer unprecedented NBA access, never-before-seen footage, and a definitive look at one of basketball's most iconic stories," said the production company.

Reward increased after shooting

TYLER – A $25,000 reward has been offered by the FBI for information that results in the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for the shooting of a five-year-old. On the evening of May 29, Josiah Williams was shot at the Victory Parks Apartment in Tyler. For emergency care, Josiah was flown to a hospital in Dallas. Over thirty shell casings were found at the scene by investigators. Josiah was an innocent bystander, and officials believe the incident was gang-related. According to the FBI, multiple people are thought to have participated in the shooting, and all of the suspects are men.

Officer involved in shooting outside Walmart that killed 1-year-old boy placed on leave

Kohen Wiley is seen in an undated photo released by Ben Crump Law. (Courtesy Ben Crump Law)

(SENATOBIA, Miss.) -- An officer who fired upon a vehicle, killing a 1-year-old boy, outside a Walmart in Mississippi has been placed on administrative leave, officials said, as outraged community members call for justice amid an ongoing investigation into the deadly shooting.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon outside a Walmart in Senatobia, located in northwestern Mississippi about 40 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee.

Law enforcement officers who responded to a shoplifting call encountered two adults allegedly fleeing from the store with a child and going into a vehicle, according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, with one opening fire when the driver allegedly drove toward them, the bureau said. The child was killed and an adult critically injured, officials said.

One-year-old Kohen Wiley, his mother and a family friend were in the vehicle at the time, according to Ben Crump Law, which has been retained by the victim's family. Kohen was killed and the family friend was critically injured, the law firm said.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on leave, according to Senatobia city officials. The decision was made during a meeting with city officials on Tuesday.

The name of the officer has not been released.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, who oversees the bureau, promised transparency in the investigation.

"To make no mistake, this is a very tragic situation," Tindell said during a press briefing on Tuesday. "I want the public to be assured that the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will conduct its independent investigation."

He said five agents are working on the case, gathering evidence and witness statements, to ultimately present to the state's attorney general's office. He said investigators are also working to get security footage from Walmart.

"I would ask that the public maintain patience as much as possible," Tindell said. I know this is a very frustrating time, but maintain patience as this process is done."

Tindell declined to get into the details of the case due to the ongoing investigation. He said body-camera footage will be released once the investigation is completed.

Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Kohen's family, said the child's mother has not been charged with any crime and that she says she was "trying to communicate to officers that there was a baby in the car."

"They fired anyway, leading to the death of an innocent 1-year-old," Crump said in a statement. "We intend to seek justice for baby Kohen and the life that was stolen from him."

Kohen's mother, Vellesiya Wiley, said in a video released through her attorneys that her friend was being pursued for allegedly shoplifting diapers.

"I raised my baby up trying to show them that he was in the car," she said. "By the time I sat my baby down, it was like three to four shots. One of the shots hit him in his ribcage."

Wiley said her friend was driving the vehicle at the time.

"They tried to say that she forcefully was trying to drive and hit them, but they was all on the right side and she was driving towards the left," she said.

Protesters outraged over the deadly shooting gathered outside the Senatobia City Hall on Tuesday for a rally, some holding signs saying "Justice for Kohen."

Later that night, protesters gathered in the Walmart parking lot where the shooting occurred, shouting, "No justice, no peace." Officers in riot helmets and gas masks formed a line at the front doors of the store, at one point appearing to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The Walmart temporarily closed, before reopening on Wednesday morning.

"We're saddened by what took place at our Senatobia, MS, store," a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement on Monday in response to the shooting. "The safety of our associates and customers is a top priority. We're working with law enforcement as they continue investigating."

City officials called the deadly shooting a "heartbreaking tragedy" while urging residents to await the results of the investigation.

"We understand that emotions are high and that many questions remain. We respectfully ask our community to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information while the investigation is underway," the city said in a statement on Tuesday. "Please allow the investigative process to take its course so that the facts -- not rumors or assumptions -- guide our understanding of this tragic event."

Supreme Court allows some marijuana users to own guns, limiting federal gun ban

Cherry blossoms at the Supreme Court on a windy morning in Washington, D.C. (John Baggaley/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) -- In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a longstanding federal ban on guns for unlawful users of any controlled substance is unconstitutional as applied to a Texas gun owner who used marijuana several times a week.

The decision set new limits on federal prosecution of gun owners who are targeted simply for having a history of drug use. It was especially welcomed by millions of American cannabis users who have had to disarm or risk up to 15 years behind bars.

Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the court's opinion that unlawful drug use alone cannot be grounds to seek to send someone to prison and potentially force them to give up firearms for life.

"We do not question that sometimes an individual's unlawful use of marijuana (or any other controlled substance) may render him a danger to others," Gorsuch wrote. "But, again, the government disclaims the need to show anything like that in this case. ... affording the government that kind of broad power to designate any group as dangerous and thereby disqualify its members from having a gun would risk allowing it to quickly swallow the Second Amendment."

The Justice Department has said it prosecutes roughly 300 cases a year in which a violation of the drug-user gun ban is a leading charge.

Gorsuch said the opinion was narrow and did not disturb other provisions of the law, which includes a ban on guns for drug addicts, ban on guns for people presently intoxicated and prohibition of firearms for those deemed a danger to themselves or others.

The ruling would not, for example, have prevented the prosecution of Hunter Biden under the law since he was a known and admitted drug addict while in possession of a firearm.

The decision was most immediately a victory for plaintiff Ali Hemani, a Texas man who admitted to using marijuana "every other day" while keeping a Glock 9mm pistol in his home. He was prosecuted by federal authorities for a single charge of unlawful possession as a drug user but was neither intoxicated nor physically holding the weapon when arrested.

A federal appeals court tossed out the Hemani indictment saying the ban as applied to him was unconstitutional. The justices agreed with that decision.

While more than 40 states have legalized marijuana in some form, it remains prohibited under federal law.

"Today's unanimous 9-0 decision makes it clear that the government cannot make it crime for people to own a gun, which the Supreme Court has held is a fundamental constitutional right, simply because they use marijuana," said Cecillia Wang, legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union.

"With nearly half of Americans reporting marijuana use at some point in their lives, this ruling protects the rights of millions and curbs the government's ability to impose arbitrary and discriminatory penalties," Wang wrote in a statement. "The court has sent a strong message that the government cannot criminalize the conduct of large numbers of people by making categorical and unfounded assumptions about whether they are dangerous."

The decision was also praised by the National Rifle Association as "a major victory for the Second Amendment and peaceable gun owners across America."

"No one should be deprived of their God-given right to keep and bear arms for engaging in nonviolent conduct, and there is no historical justification for doing so," said NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford in a statement to ABC News.

Gun safety advocates, which had joined the Trump administration in opposing a rollback of the drug-user gun ban, said the bulk of the law remains a robust and "common-sense" public-safety measure.

"Although the Court said that the particular law at issue in this case cannot be upheld specifically as to the person challenging it, it reaffirmed the ability of legislatures to restrict firearms access by certain categories of people," said Kris Brown, president of Brady, a gun safety group.

Road closures in Bullard

BULLARD – Drivers in Bullard should prepare for detours next week as TxDOT shuts down several streets to continue its widening project along Main Street.

The closure will stretch from Main Street down to South Houston Street, and officials are urging drivers to avoid the area while work is underway. To get around the construction zone, motorists are encouraged to use North Phillips Street and West Emma Street as alternate routes.

The project is expected to last through next Friday.

Trump administration can replace slavery exhibit at President’s House in Philadelphia, appeals court rules

‘Outer Banks’ season 5 gets teaser trailer, release date

Chase Stokes as John B and Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron in episode 3 of 'Outer Banks' season 5. (Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix)

Outer Banks is starting up on its final adventure.

Netflix has shared the official teaser trailer for the drama series' fifth and final season. It has also announced that the season will make its debut on Aug. 20.

Returning to the show are series regulars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Drew Starkey, Carlacia Grant, Austin North and Fiona Palomo. J. Anthony Crane and Cullen Moss have also been upped to series regulars for the final season.

This new season finds the Pogues "at their absolute breaking point following the tragic loss of JJ in Morocco. Stranded far from home and mourning the heart of their crew, they’ve lost the Blue Crown and continue to face a gauntlet of familiar threats," according to its official description. "With Chandler Groff still at large, Dalia and the Corsairs closing in, and the Kooks ensuring the Pogues have no home to return to, John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, and Cleo must rely on their scrappy instincts—and an uneasy alliance with Rafe—to keep from falling apart for good."

This new mission is now a race to "reclaim their future and finally win the freedom they’ve been chasing since the beginning," the description continues. "It’s the Pogues against the world as they seek to avenge their best friend and bring it on home…one final time."

The teaser trailer finds the crew reeling after the death of their friend JJ.

"I saw what he did to JJ. And he knows I'm not letting it go," Bailey's Kiara says, before Cline's Sarah Cameron says, "If you're on the bottom, you have to risk everything."

Jonas Pate, Josh Pate and Shannon Burke are the creators of Outer Banks. Season 5 consists of 10 hourlong episodes.

Residents have data center water worries

HENDERSON COUNTY – Local leaders in Henderson County held a workshop on Tuesday to discuss a proposed data center near Key Ranch Estates on Cedar Creek Lake. During the meeting, community members voiced significant concerns regarding the project’s potential impact on the lake, particularly the risk of water depletion.

According to our news partner KETK, the proposed data center’s water requirements sparked worries among residents, who fear that water levels at Cedar Creek Lake, considered the heart of their community, could be depleted. The workshop aimed to inform the community and allow residents to understand the potential impact on their area. Continue reading Residents have data center water worries

Video shows moment 2-year-old boy was rescued from hot car

A deputy in Clark County, Washington, saved a 2-year-old boy who was alone in a car on a 92-degree day. (Clark County Sheriff's Department)

(CLARK COUNTY, Wash.) -- Heart-stopping video has been released showing the moment a deputy in Clark County, Washington, saved a 2-year-old boy who was left alone in a hot car on a 92-degree day.

Witnesses called 911 in May to report the child in a parked car, and the witnesses tried to create shade around the car as they waited for responders, the Clark County Sheriff's Department said on Wednesday.

Deputy Ben Hulsey arrived at the scene to find the 2-year-old strapped in his car seat, "sweating heavily, with his head tilted to the side and not responding," the sheriff's department said. The car had a small crack in the back window, authorities said.

Hulsey broke a window to rescue the little boy, who was checked by medics, authorities said.

Investigators determined the boy was left alone for about 16 minutes, the sheriff's department said. When deputies found his parents, they had been inside a nearby grocery store for almost 30 minutes, authorities said.

The parents are facing reckless endangerment charges, the department said.

"Never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Not even for a few minutes," the sheriff's department said in a statement Wednesday. "If you see a child or pet left alone in a vehicle and believe they're in distress, don't hesitate to call 911. That's exactly what these community members did."

At least seven children have died in hot cars so far this year in the U.S., according to national nonprofit KidsAndCars.org. Last year, at least 37 children died in hot cars across the country, KidsAndCars.org said.

Click here for what to know to keep your children safe.

Scam calls on the rise

Smith County – Smith County and surrounding areas have seen an uptick in scam calls — specifically, calls that instill fear by making it seem a family member is in danger and you need to pay to save them.

Smith County Precinct 4 Constable Josh Joplin and a local woman, who had experienced one of these scam calls, say they can seem so real, even using the sound of someone in distress to sell their story. The calls from unknown people range from kidnapping a loved one to crying out that a daughter’s been in a crash. These scammers are capitalizing on the fear.

Tammy Humes says she received a phone call from a regular, wireless number with a local area code, urgently stressing that her daughter had been in a car crash, and money was needed to tow her car. In the background, she could hear a woman yelling, “Mom!”

“A parent’s gonna freak out hearing that their child’s in an accident,” Humes said.

Humes said she recognized the caller was not able to provide a location of the call or identify the daughter, instead only saying he needed her credit card information. Continue reading Scam calls on the rise