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Louisiana sues Roblox for allegedly failing to protect children

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:11:56 -0500

(NewsNation) — Louisiana's attorney general has announced the state is suing Roblox, accusing the gaming platform of failing to protect children using it.

Roblox is the top gaming platform for kids and teens, allowing them to create their own games and play those created by others. Users of Roblox are encouraged to communicate with each other in real time.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the legal action, saying the platform facilitates the distribution of child sexual abuse material and sexual exploitation of children.

The lawsuit charges that Roblox knowingly and intentionally failed to implement basic safety controls to protect children from predators and failed to accurately provide parents and children with information about the dangers of the games.

“Due to Roblox’s lack of safety protocols, it endangers the safety of the children of Louisiana. Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators because it prioritizes user growth, revenue, and profits over child safety,” said Murrill.

Roblox has more than 82 million active users daily and reports that 20% are under the age of nine. The company says 20% are between nine and 12, 16% are between 13 and 16, and 44% are 17 or older.

Roblox does not have an age minimum and does not require age verification or parental permission to sign up, making it possible for users to lie about their age.

Roblox hosts millions of games, some of which are age-appropriate for children and teens, and others that are intended for adults and include sexually explicit material.

The site does include age recommendations on games, and parents can enable parental controls on their children's accounts.

In a press release, Murril cited a report from Hindenburg Research that said a group of 3,334 users openly traded child sexual abuse materials and solicited sexual acts from minors.

At the time of the report, Roblox pushed back on numerous claims from the firm, an activist short-selling organization that produced investigative reports on large companies and then benefited when stocks fell.

The press release also detailed an incident from July where law enforcement executed a search warrant on a man who was allegedly in possession of child sexual abuse material. According to authorities, he was found with technology designed to mimic the voice of a young woman, which they say was used to lure and sexually exploit minors on Roblox.

The state is seeking civil penalties for Robox and for adequate safety features.

Georgia man sent 'Dexter' actor's spouse death threats: Warrant

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:40:59 -0500

(NewsNation) — A Georgia man is accused of terrorizing multiple victims with threats of rape and murder on social media.

In an FBI arrest warrant dated Aug. 6, authorities claim Emerson Guevara sent threatening messages to multiple social media users.

In one instance, authorities said Guevara sent messages to an accuser, referred to as Victim 7, stating, “I want to be known as the Idaho murderer. I want to be known like Ted Bundy. I want to kill you."

FBI special agent Joshua Floyd stated that Guevara first contacted unnamed Victim 1 in June of last year on TikTok and Discord after viewing a livestream and sent them gifts. Around this time, authorities said Guevara began sending troubling messages to the victim and was blocked.

The messages included graphic threats to kill them and commit a mass shooting afterward.

The victim, whose husband appeared in the TV show "Dexter," was then contacted by Guevara via phone, through which he continued his harassment and threatened to appear at an upcoming television premiere, according to the warrant.

FBI agents in Atlanta later interviewed Guevara at his home, where he lives with his parents and a sibling. He reportedly admitted to sending the messages.

Guevara is also accused of making similar threats to other people identified as Victims 2, 3 and 4 while living in Baltimore, Maryland.

FBI agents in Baltimore said they contacted Guevara after he threatened Victims 2 and 3 in January of last year, one of whom he allegedly threatened to rape and kill. Agents said they warned Guevara that he could face prosecution if he did not stop making threats.

The following June, the Montgomery County Police Department was told Guevara sent threatening messages to another person referred to as Victim 4, according to the warrant, and said he threatened to commit a mass shooting at his former school.

Guevara is accused of harassing an additional person in May of this year. After the accuser, referred to as Victim 5, rejected his advances, he threatened to rape and kill her and again warned of a mass shooting, according to the warrant.

In May of this year, FBI agents and local police searched Guevara's home in Georgia, where they found “one AR rifle, one upper receiver, a K-Bar knife, multiple magazines, 5.56mm 7 ammunition, and a Kevlar helmet,” according to the warrant.

Cobb County Police took Guevara into their custody, and he was put on an “involuntary hold” for mental health concerns.

On Aug. 5, the FBI office in Milwaukee informed the Atlanta office that Guevara was accused of sending "violent" messages in May to another individual, referred to as Victim 6, saying he knew where they lived.

Man stabbed in the chest with scissors at barbershop, police say

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:51:34 -0500

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — A man was stabbed in the chest with scissors at a barbershop in Tennessee on Tuesday, local authorities said.

Horn Lake Police Department officers arrived at Baptist DeSoto Hospital regarding a victim with a stab wound to the chest.

The victim told police he was stabbed with a pair of scissors during an argument at a barbershop in Horn Lake, near Memphis.

Police said the victim was transported to the hospital because of his injuries and is in stable condition.

Officers went to the barbershop to investigate, and they were told several witnesses had left the area after the altercation.

HLPD said that investigators arrived on the scene to gather evidence and to identify those involved, but they are still looking for those witnesses to interview.

According to police, no charges have been filed at this time.

If you have any information that could help police, call 662-342-3540.

4 dead in apparent murder-suicide in Alabama, police say

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:00:40 -0500

Editor’s Note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website or by calling 988.

(NewsNation, WKRG) — A 44-year-old man shot and killed his wife and two children before taking his own life in what authorities are calling a murder-suicide in the Belforest community, Alabama, Baldwin County Sheriff's Office officials said Thursday.

Kenny Smith fatally shot 41-year-old Larrica Smith, 15-year-old Khristian Smith and 11-year-old Kinsley Smith with a handgun before killing himself, according to Sheriff Anthony Lowery.

Baldwin County deputies discovered the four bodies during a welfare check at the family's home on Sable Court. Deputies knocked on the door but received no answer before entering the residence, Lowery said.

All four victims died from gunshot wounds, officials confirmed. The investigation is ongoing.

Baldwin County schools offer grief counseling after murder-suicide

Both children involved in a Belforest murder-suicide attended schools in Daphne, and grief counselors were on hand, not just for classmates, but also for staff.

“Inside the residence, the children’s phones were ringing. So, you know, that’s their friends trying to figure out what’s going on,” Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery said.

“When we lose someone, it’s like we’ve lost a member of our own family, and it’s very, very sad,” Sherry Rainbolt, Baldwin County Public Schools’ prevention and support supervisor, said.

Trained crisis response counselors and social workers were on the campuses of Daphne East Elementary School and Daphne High School on Thursday.

Eleven extra counselors and social workers were deployed to Daphne East in addition to the three already staffed there.

School leaders said this is an emotional loss for everyone in Daphne’s Trojan community.

“It is a very difficult conversation, and we want students to know that we are also feeling it too and we’re human,” Rainbolt said.

“What we’re doing at school is trying to keep the day as normal as possible, and we just want kids to feel safe.”

Tropical Storm Erin strengthens, expected to become hurricane

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 04:57:08 -0500

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen and become a hurricane today, the National Hurricane Center said.

Located approximately 570 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, Erin is moving toward the west-northwest at a speed of about 17 mph.

This movement is expected to continue into the weekend as Erin is likely to move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands over the weekend.

Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph.

Strengthening is expected during the next few days, where Erin is forecast to become a hurricane later today, and could become a major hurricane by this weekend, the NHC said.

Erin is forecast to become a Category 4 hurricane.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:

Anguilla and Barbuda
St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
Saba and St. Eustatius
Sint Maarten

Southeastern Gulf

A disturbance located over the western Gulf could become a short-lived tropical depression before it moves inland over northeastern Mexico or southern Texas this afternoon or evening, the NHC said.

Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible along parts of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas over the next couple of days.

According to the NHC, an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system this morning.

The chance of formation in the next 48 hours and seven days is 50%.

Virginia mass child abduction rumors untrue, police say

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:25:44 -0500

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Though many on social media are talking about an alleged mass kidnapping of children taking place in Virginia over the past few weeks, Virginia State Police and a Virginia-based foundation say such claims are not true.

The posts have rapidly spread on platforms such as TikTok, and include videos claiming that since Aug. 1 there have been mass abductions and even a serial kidnapper on the loose in the Commonwealth.

Virginia State Police, in a statement Wednesday, confirmed there is no evidence of mass abductions of children in the Commonwealth, saying “Virginia State Police is not investigating any reports of mass abductions in Virginia, nor is there evidence of mass abductions occurring in Virginia."

Kenny Jarels, president and CEO of The AWARE Foundation, has worked for years with law enforcement offices to ensure missing children are brought home safely, and says these online claims are not true.

“There is no mass kidnapping going on in the state of Virginia," Jarels said. "That’s just not happening."

State police mentioned all missing child cases get sent to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children website. VSP insured that nearly all missing children reports are investigated at the local level.

“The problem is that we have kids that we know were on that list that are located and safe but they’re still showing up," Jarels said. "Of course, that adds to the conspiracy theory that we have a mass kidnapping because the kids are not removed in a timely fashion.”

Both Virginia State Police and Jarels state that many of the children listed are runaways, meaning they return shortly after being reported missing.

“They’re running away for different reasons, of course," Jarels said. "It could be that they don’t like the environment they live in, they could be running from a foster care facility, so the only thing that we’re trying to debunk is the theory that we have a mass kidnapping going on. That’s not happening.”

According to VSP, investigative agencies have two hours to report the missing child case to VSP and if the disappearance rises to the level of a CODI or Amber Alert then the agency makes the request.

To activate a CODI Alert, the person missing must be:

17 years of age or younger or is currently enrolled in a secondary school in the Commonwealth.
The child’s whereabouts are unknown.
The child’s disappearance is under suspicious circumstances or poses a credible threat as determined by law enforcement to the safety and health of the child.
Based on any other circumstances as deemed appropriate by the Virginia State Police.

To activate an Amber Alert, the person missing must be:

The abducted child must be 17 years of age or younger or currently enrolled in a secondary school in the Commonwealth, regardless of age, and the reporting law enforcement agency believes the child has been abducted (unwillingly taken from their environment without permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian).
The law enforcement agency believes the missing child is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
A law enforcement investigation has taken place that verified the abduction or eliminated alternative explanations.
Sufficient information is available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the child, suspect, and/or the suspect’s vehicle.
The child must be entered into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and the National Crime Information Center missing person files as soon as practical.

Virginia State Police also oversees the Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse.

For the week of Aug. 3-9, 88 children were reported missing, which is lower than the 2025 weekly average in Virginia of 98. VSP has also issued 25 CODI Alerts and two AMBER Alerts this year, in which all kids were found.

For more information on missing children and a current list visit here.

To help keep children safe, Virginia State Police offer the following safety tips:

Have your child practice making 9-1-1 calls from both a cell phone and a landline (unplugged or with batteries removed).
Make sure your child knows not to accept rides from strangers and not to trust a stranger who suggests they go off alone together for any reason, for example, to find a lost puppy, etc.
Tell your child to let you know immediately if another adult suggests keeping secrets from you.
Never leave your child alone in the car, even for a minute.

You can also visit the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children website here.

GE Appliances investment of $3B to boost jobs in Camden, SC

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:00:16 -0500

(NewsNation) — GE Appliances has announced a plan to invest over $3 billion in its U.S. operations. The initiative aims to shift manufacturing from overseas back to the United States over the next five years and is expected to create 1,000 new jobs.

GE plans to move production of a variety of its products to the U.S. from China and Mexico. The first phase of the plan will expand current manufacturing operations across the south in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina.

Camden, South Carolina, Mayor Vincent Sheheen told "NewsNation Now" on Thursday that he is "always thrilled when we have manufacturing jobs come to our community."

Currently, GE has a plant in Camden, South Carolina, that produces gas water heaters. The investment will expand on Camden's already "thriving industrial sector" and bring demand-response electric water heater and GeoSpring hybrid heat pump water heater manufacturing to the plant, according to GE's announcement.

The first phase of the plan is set to be implemented by early 2026, and Mayor Sheheen is hopeful that the size of the Camden plant's workforce will "double over time."

As of 2025, Camden has a population of just under 9,000, so GE's investment will play a crucial role in supporting the local economy for years to come.

GE Appliances currently contributes over $30 billion annually to the U.S. GDP and supports over 113,000 jobs, according to the announcement.

Trump's tariffs on foreign goods have incentivized many companies to invest in domestic manufacturing, which has created opportunities for job growth across the country.

The White House claims Trump is responsible for over $8 trillion in new investments into the U.S. economy since he took office in January.

Supreme Court declines to block Mississippi social media age-verification law

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:47:32 -0500

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block Mississippi from enforcing its social media age-verification law against nine major platforms, for now.

In an emergency ruling, the justices denied internet trade group NetChoice’s request to reinstate a lower court’s order protecting social media giants like Meta, X and YouTube from the new requirements.

The Supreme Court did not explain its order or disclose the vote count, as is typical in emergency cases.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, however, wrote a solo opinion cautioning that NetChoice is likely to ultimately succeed on its First Amendment claims even though he was siding against the group at this stage.

“In short, under this Court’s case law as it currently stands, the Mississippi law is likely unconstitutional,” Kavanaugh’s brief opinion reads.

“Nonetheless, because NetChoice has not sufficiently demonstrated that the balance of harms and equities favors it at this time, I concur in the Court’s denial of the application for interim relief,” the conservative justice continued.

NetChoice had asked the court to intervene after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit lifted the district judge’s decision shielding the platforms from the 2024 law without explanation.

“Neither NetChoice nor this Court can know why the Fifth Circuit believed this law satisfies the First Amendment’s stringent demands or deviated from the seven other decisions enjoining similar laws,” NetChoice wrote in its request, contending it would face “immediate, irreparable” injury should the law be allowed to go into effect.

Mississippi’s law establishes requirements for social media companies to confirm their users’ ages. Minors must have express consent from a parent or guardian to use the platform, and covered websites must strive to eliminate their exposure to harmful material or face a $10,000 fine.

U.S. District Judge Halil Suleyman Ozerden found the law unconstitutional as applied to NetChoice members YouTube, X, Snapchat, Reddit, Pinterest, Nextdoor, Dreamwidth and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.

In its Supreme Court papers, NetChoice argued that the law upended Mississippi citizens’ right to access protected speech across social media, contending the 5th Circuit’s lack of explanation is reason enough for the high court to step in.

The state claimed the law targets predators by imposing “modest duties” on the platforms and urged the justices to reject the application.

"NetChoice satisfies none of the vacatur criteria,” the state wrote. “It has not shown that the stay order is demonstrably wrong, that this Court would likely review a Fifth Circuit decision rejecting the injunction, or that the equities support its extraordinary request."

Tech and free speech groups submitted friend-of-the-court briefs in support of NetChoice’s application, contending that the law puts an unfair bar on minors and burden on adults looking to engage in protected online expression. A group aimed at stopping child predators wrote in another amicus brief that the law fails to achieve its intended purpose of protecting children.

NetChoice does not argue the law is unconstitutional in all circumstances, as it did in its challenge to Florida and Texas laws aimed at barring social media companies from banning users based on their political views, which was resolved by the Supreme Court last year.

The Mississippi law was set to go into effect on the same day the justices handed NetChoice a win in those cases, sending them back to lower courts to analyze the Florida and Texas laws with new guidance.

Judge allows inmate organ harvesting lawsuit to continue

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:14:54 -0500

(NewsNation) — An Alabama judge denied a request to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by the family of a federal inmate whose organs were allegedly harvested after death without permission.

Judge Patrick Ballard denied the motion to dismiss filed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, though he did drop a fraud claim from the case.

In the complaint, Violet Harrell said she got a call in March of 2023 from the chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institute Talladega facility telling her that her son had died after he collapsed on the basketball court.

She alleges that the chaplain said her son wasn't attacked but didn't give any more details, and a staff member told her an autopsy would be performed when she contacted the warden's office.

The complaint says that Harrell provided information about where to send her son's body but did not give any consent for organ donation.

The family later obtained a report saying her son's body was transferred to the university, but the coroner there didn't order an autopsy. However, one was done in the same month.

The family is saying the warden at the facility ordered the autopsy and authorized organs to be harvested in violation of laws that require notifying someone's next of kin and getting their permission.

The university argued that federal law allows the warden to authorize an autopsy in cases of homicide, suicide, accidents and unexplained deaths.

Another set of lawsuits is also underway against the Alabama Department of Corrections and UAB for allegedly harvesting organs from people who died while in prison.

North Carolina triple shooting victims identified as family: Deputies

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:58:01 -0500

LILLINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) — A 15-year-old boy is in custody for a homicide investigation where a third victim died from shooting injuries.

The 911 call came from a 10-year-old who lived in the home, according to deputies. They said the child, who was unharmed, stated several of their family members had been shot around 5 p.m.

CBS 17 previously reported Tuesday evening that deputies found three people with gunshot wound injuries at a house on Kentucky Derby Lane in Lillington. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, while one person was taken to the hospital.

According to the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, deputies said the third shooting victim died from the injuries sustained in the shooting on Wednesday.

Deputies identified the victims as 57-year-old Danny Richards, his wife, 54-year-old Sabrina Richards and his mother, 74-year-old Clara Richards. According to deputies, the shooting happened during Sabrina Richards' birthday party.

The 15-year-old suspected of shooting is the nephew of Danny and Sabrina Richards. According to their investigation, deputies found him in the woods late Tuesday night near Highway 87 and Nursery Road in Spring Lake after he fled the scene in a vehicle.

The teen was charged with three counts of first degree murder, according to deputies. He is being held in a North Carolina Detention Center.

The Richards led the Genesis Grace ministry, where Danny Richards was a bishop. As part of their church, they would help the homeless community. Both he and his wife also served in the military, with Danny retiring after 30 years and Sabrina retiring after 14 years.

At the time of the shooting, the Richards were raising their nephew.

"We were a little family church," a family friend and church member said. "But it doesn't take a whole lot to to serve the Lord. And they were God-fearing people. Would help anybody and our church fed the homeless once a month. They opened their doors trying to help people. And some people you just can't help.

"Beautiful family," the church member said. "This right here is a nightmare. It's a nightmare. It's still so hard to believe."

Doctors share lifesaving tips after rare rattlesnake encounter in Tennessee

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:53:53 -0500

GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — After a recent rattlesnake bite death, officials say, although rare, it is still important to be vigilant on hikes.

A man died Friday after being bitten by a rattlesnake while visiting Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy County, according to Grundy County Emergency Management.

Park rangers said they received a distress call Friday afternoon and found the man suffering from a venomous snake bite. Emergency crews reportedly performed CPR before he was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Rattlesnake bites are rare in Tennessee; about 50 are reported statewide each year, but doctors said they can be dangerous.

“In certain people, the venom can even have deadly effects, where you would have an allergic reaction to the venom, or it can get into the bloodstream much faster and cause much more severe symptoms,” said Dr. Joshua Justice, medical director at TriStar Skyline Medical Center.

Justice said the first step in treatment is preventing swelling. If a venomous snake is suspected, antivenom is administered — sometimes in multiple doses.

In severe cases, patients may be transferred to a higher-level facility for ongoing observation and care from specialists, such as toxicologists or surgeons.

Experts stress that hikers should know how to react if they encounter a snake.

“The best thing to do is try to remain still, calm, back away — don’t try to approach the snake,” said Matthew Griffith, Grundy County’s emergency management director.

Safety tips for hikers include carrying a walking stick to help move a snake away from the trail and being alert when sitting near benches or rocks.

Family business bakes sourdough bread for Cracker Barrel for 40 years

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:50:01 -0500

LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Every piece of sourdough bread served at Cracker Barrel restaurants across the country is baked in Lebanon, at Bay's Southern Bread.

"We have 11 of these ovens, each oven can make 180 loaves at a time. It takes about 35 minutes to make the bread," Bay's Southern Bread President Kevin Bay explained on a tour of the facility.

Flour is shipped in railcars, and their sugar order comes in 2,000-pound bags, but the operation didn't start out that large.

"Mom and dad were in Newport, Tennessee, and they were having lunch. Mom had always made bread at home, and dad said, 'The bread that you're making at home would go well with the Cracker Barrel concept,'" Bay recalled.

Peggy and Charlie Bay lived in Mt. Juliet, and Charlie worked for Kenneth O. Lester Company, a food distributor for Cracker Barrel. The company's higher-ups got him a meeting with Dan Evins, the founder of the Lebanon-based restaurant chain.

"He took him a couple loaves of bread," Bay explained. "They played around with them, called him back a few days later and said, 'Can you make a couple more loaves? We're going to have a board meeting, and we want to serve at the board meeting.'"

(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)
(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)
(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)
(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)
(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)
(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)
(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)
(Photo courtesy: Bay's Southern Bread)

And as they say, the rest is history. After three years of testing, Bay's Southern Bread went full-time with Cracker Barrel in January 1985. That partnership continues 40 years later. They now have the capacity to bake 22,000 loaves of sourdough bread a day.

"The business grew and grew and grew. We grew as Cracker Barrel grew," Bay said. "My grandkids are coming into the business now, the fourth generation. It's really rewarding to be around them."

Bay decided to move back home to join the family business right from the start. The roots run deep; the sourdough is from an old family recipe and starter that dates back generations.

"This starter that we use here can be traced back to my great-grandmother, and she passed in the early 60s. She was born in the 1880s," Bay said. "This starter has a very distinct taste to it, and it's very well liked."

Bay's great-grandmother, "Ma," is immortalized with a trademarked line of dinner rolls baked by the family's other company, Specialty Breads, LLC. Also located in Lebanon, they make and distribute bread products to school systems, restaurants and grocery stores in the Midwest and southeastern United States.

Bay attributes the business's success and longevity to patience, consistency and a committed team.

"Surrounding yourself with people who have the same desire to do what you're doing and be being OK to fail and learn from it," Bay said. "To come to work here, and then to be able to work with Cracker Barrel for the last 40 years, it's been rewarding."

If you want to try out the bread, for only $2 a piece, you can purchase sourdough, dinner rolls, croutons, and more right from Bay's Southern Bread on Hartmann Drive in Lebanon.

Winners of the 2025 Florida Python Challenge announced

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:46:42 -0500

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the winners of the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ on Wednesday.

The challenge is a 10-day competition drawing in 934 participants from 30 States, including Canada, to support Everglades conservation.

This year, contenders removed a record 294 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida. These nonnative species pose a serious threat to native wildlife inhabiting the area.

“The record number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during this year’s competition is a big win for native wildlife. With over 1,400 pythons removed during all Florida Python Challenge events to date and over 16,000 pythons removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, collective efforts are the key to continuing to address the threats Burmese pythons pose to Florida’s native wildlife and ecosystems," said Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman.

The winners of this year's challenge were announced at the FWC's commission meeting in Havana. The Ultimate Grand Prize went to Taylor Stanberry, who alone removed 60 Burmese pythons, earning her $10,000.

The longest python removed, caught by Michael Marousky, was a staggering 15 feet, 11 inches.

French Bulldog stolen at gunpoint in Virginia; suspects still sought

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:40:24 -0500

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) -- Police with the Hampton Police Division are asking for the public's assistance in locating two suspects accused of stealing a 2-year-old French Bulldog at gunpoint.

According to officials, on Wednesday around 5:30 p.m., police were notified of a robbery that occurred in the 2500 block of North Campus Parkway.

An initial investigation revealed that a vehicle with three men inside stopped by the victim, who was walking his 2-year-old French Bulldog at the time. One of the suspects then exited the vehicle, displayed his firearm and then took the dog, police said.

Police said the suspects fled the scene in the vehicle after taking the dog.

French Bulldog stolen at gunpoint (Courtesy: HPD)

Shortly after the armed robbery, police were able to locate the suspect vehicle in Newport News. Police then arrested 21-year-old Jalyle Lee in connection with the incident and charged him with robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and larceny of a dog.

The two other suspects, as well as the dog, have yet to be found, according to police.

Hiker dies after venomous bite from 'most dangerous' snake in Tennessee

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:31:29 -0500

GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A hiker died after he was bitten by a venomous snake in a Tennessee state park last week.

First responders were called to Savage Gulf State Park, in Grundy County, at Friday around 12:30 p.m. The hiker was about a half-mile down a trail when medics located him and began CPR, both manually and with a compression machine, according to the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency.

The hiker was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

A representative for Grundy County's Emergency Management Agency identified the snake that bit the hiker as a probable Timber rattlesnake, an extremely venomous species found in the eastern United States.

"The Timber Rattlesnake is the largest, and the most dangerous, of the 4 venomous snakes in Tennessee; it occurs across the state," Tennessee's Wildlife Resources Agency writes of the species on its website.

Witnesses who spoke with responders said they saw the hiker pick up the snake before he was bitten, the representative told Nexstar in an email.

Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf State Park (WKRN photo)
Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf State Park (WKRN photo)
Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf State Park (WKRN photo)
Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf State Park (WKRN photo)
Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf State Park (WKRN photo)
(Photo: WKRN)
(Photo: WKRN)
Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf State Park (WKRN photo)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 7,000 and 8,000 people in the U.S. are bitten by venomous snakes annually, with about five dying each year.

Common venomous snakes in the U.S. include rattlesnakes, copperhead snakes, water moccasins and coral snakes, according to the CDC.

The Grundy County Emergency Management Agency, in its email, reiterated that hikers or those recreating in areas with potentially dangerous wildlife to bring along first-aid kits or emergency supplies.

"If you encounter a snake simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it," the Emergency Management Agency wrote. "If bitten seek immediate medical attention."

Savage Gulf is maintained and operated by Tennessee State Parks and sits within the South Cumberland State Park. It spans nearly 16,000 acres in Grundy and Sequatchie counties. Savage Gulf boasts attractions ranging from waterfalls to wildflowers along with sandstone cliffs and picturesque gorges. Visitors can hike, swim, rock climb and camp within the park.