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AMERICANALMANAC (Jack Newsome) - Cary crews hoist baby deer from North Carolina storm drain

Cary firefighters and animal control crews hoisted a fawn from a North Carolina storm drain after the baby deer spent several days trapped inside. Firefighters from the Cary Fire Department joined Cary Animal Control, Wake County Animal Control, and Town of Cary Public Works personnel for the rescue. UPI reported that the crews found the […] The post Cary crews hoist baby deer from North Carolina storm drain appeared first on American Almanac .

Cary firefighters and animal control crews hoisted a fawn from a North Carolina storm drain after the baby deer spent several days trapped inside. Firefighters from the Cary Fire Department joined Cary Animal Control, Wake County Animal Control, and Town of Cary Public Works personnel for the rescue. UPI reported that the crews found the young deer stuck below street level and moved as a single team to get it out. The Cary Fire Department said the fawn is believed to have been trapped in the drain for several days before responders arrived. That detail alone explains the urgency. A baby deer cannot climb concrete walls. It needed people willing to go down after it. Rescuers set up a tripod over the storm drain opening. Crew members then…Open

What was the official reaction from Town of Cary officials regarding the rescue of the trapped fawn?
Town of Cary officials expressed their gratitude on social media, thanking the various crews for their help and stating, "Not all heroes wear capes; some wear waders! Thank you to everyone who helped save this sweet fawn."
Q&A ID 0e100507-8e89-4d2d-90b3-303ab33f2c46
How long was the fawn trapped in the storm drain before the rescue teams arrived?
According to the Cary Fire Department, the fawn is believed to have been trapped in the drain for several days before responders arrived to perform the rescue.
Q&A ID 0ae6ea10-cafd-4caf-9f09-00d3195875ba
Where was the rescued fawn taken for medical treatment after being hoisted from the storm drain?
Once the fawn was successfully moved above ground, animal control officers transported it to Holly’s Nest Wildlife Rescue for veterinary care and rehabilitation.
Q&A ID 74d8c1a7-7e61-4746-ba49-e94c3b666582
How did the rescue crews physically remove the baby deer from the North Carolina storm drain?
Rescuers set up a tripod over the storm drain opening. Crew members entered the drain, fitted the fawn with a harness, and hoisted the animal back to the surface using this method. The operation did not use heavy machinery.
Q&A ID 29824911-3a3d-4c75-b3cf-1f110e8d3770
Keywordsnorth-carolinacarydeerfawnanimal-rescuewildlife-rescuefirefighterspublic-worksanimal-controlrescuepublic-safetywholesomecaught-on-cameralocal-government

AMERICANALMANAC (Jack Newsome) - Ohio lottery regular cashes another $25,417 Pick 5 prize

An Oregon, Ohio player just added $25,417 more in Pick 5 winnings, and he told lottery officials this is far from his first modest score. Anthony, an Oregon resident, matched all five numbers on a Pick 5 ticket from the Sept. 21 drawing and walked away with $25,417, UPI reported. The winning numbers were 2-0-4-0-8. […] The post Ohio lottery regular cashes another $25,417 Pick 5 prize appeared first on American Almanac .

An Oregon, Ohio player just added $25,417 more in Pick 5 winnings, and he told lottery officials this is far from his first modest score. Anthony, an Oregon resident, matched all five numbers on a Pick 5 ticket from the Sept. 21 drawing and walked away with $25,417, UPI reported . The winning numbers were 2-0-4-0-8. He bought the ticket at the Oregon Friendship store on Navarre Avenue in Oregon. That alone would be a nice payday. What stands out is the pattern. Anthony told Ohio Lottery officials he has won multiple Pick 5 drawings before, using both straight and box bets. Repeat wins, not a jackpot life He was clear about the scale. None of those wins have been “life-changing big,” he said. He is simply glad for the help they have…Open

What did Anthony tell Ohio Lottery officials regarding his history with the Pick 5 game?
Anthony told lottery officials that this win was not his first modest score, stating that he has won multiple Pick 5 drawings before using both straight and box bets. He noted that none of these previous wins were "life-changing big."
Q&A ID 078faf79-fcf7-4489-964a-900e7e4f1ac3
How does Anthony plan to spend the $25,417 prize money from the September 21 drawing?
Anthony stated that the prize money will be used for practical purposes, specifically to purchase parts for his motorcycle.
Q&A ID 40a32e5a-4ced-4dba-9ae0-6bf57bc35ef4
Where did Anthony purchase the winning Pick 5 lottery ticket in Oregon, Ohio?
Anthony purchased the winning ticket at the Oregon Friendship store located on Navarre Avenue in Oregon, Ohio.
Q&A ID 9079a7b7-bfa0-40f6-a07a-e4c23ed553e1
What were the winning numbers for the Ohio Pick 5 drawing on September 21, and how much did Anthony win?
The winning numbers for the September 21 Pick 5 drawing were 2-0-4-0-8. Anthony, a resident of Oregon, Ohio, matched all five numbers and won a prize of $25,417.
Q&A ID 2f9b2e9a-87bc-4d0d-88c6-989a9e3108b2
Keywordsohiooregonlotterypick-5winpayoutmoneylifestylenewspoliticsusaluckmotorcycleeconomy

AMERICANALMANAC (Alex Tanzer) - Chuck Lorre hopes for Trump’s death and smears Melania as an ‘escort’ at charity gala

Chuck Lorre used a charity award speech to wish death on President Trump and call Melania Trump a “Yugoslavian escort”, and the Los Angeles crowd cheered. Breitbart News reported that the Big Bang Theory creator and CBS producer turned a Project Angel Food award acceptance into a crude political monologue last week in Los Angeles. […] The post Chuck Lorre hopes for Trump’s death and smears Melania as an ‘escort’ at charity gala appeared first on American Almanac .

Chuck Lorre used a charity award speech to wish death on President Trump and call Melania Trump a “Yugoslavian escort”, and the Los Angeles crowd cheered. Breitbart News reported that the Big Bang Theory creator and CBS producer turned a Project Angel Food award acceptance into a crude political monologue last week in Los Angeles. Lorre was honored for financial contributions to the charity, which serves people in need. Instead of sticking to gratitude, he told the room he had “no choice” but to attack the president and the first lady, and the audience responded with cheers. The remarks, later flagged by NewsBusters, mixed personal insults, a death wish framed as a morning routine, and a recycled Epstein smear. They also fit a…Open

How did Chuck Lorre frame his decision to insult the President and First Lady during the charity event?
Lorre framed his insults as a professional obligation rather than a personal choice, claiming that the "burden of my profession" demanded he take the opportunity to speak out. He specifically noted that while he would prefer to express gratitude to the people who built Project Angel Food into an "oasis for those in need," his role as a comedy writer forced him to follow a different script.
Q&A ID 7305683c-0b1c-4052-b29a-e7d1071a9b8a
What previous public attacks has Chuck Lorre made against Donald Trump according to reports?
Lorre has a history of public shots at Trump; in 2019, he floated claims that the president might have syphilis or brain damage from birth. Additionally, in October of the previous year, the producer branded Trump as a "fascist, hate-filled, fear-mongering, demagogic, truth-shattering, autocratic golf cheater" and fantasized about "a little Old Testament wrath" landing on him.
Q&A ID 53dd9916-8911-4ca1-ad16-47cbc322e783
In what context did Chuck Lorre deliver his political monologue and how did the audience react?
Chuck Lorre delivered the monologue while accepting an award for his financial contributions to Project Angel Food, a charity that serves people in need. Despite the charitable setting, Lorre stated he had "no choice" but to attack the President and First Lady due to his profession as a comedy writer. The Los Angeles crowd responded to his remarks with cheers.
Q&A ID 525df0cb-601a-4aa4-9b19-1c9ce666a81f
What specific insults and comments did Chuck Lorre make regarding President Trump and Melania Trump during his Project Angel Food award acceptance speech in Los Angeles?
During the charity gala, Chuck Lorre described President Trump as a "bloated orange piece of s***" and stated that he wakes up every morning to check CNN to see if the President had a heart attack while "straining to take a dump." Regarding Melania Trump, Lorre referred to her as a "surgically enhanced, cold-hearted Yugoslavian escort" who "clearly hates her husband," while contrasting her with Michelle Obama. He concluded his remarks by calling Trump a "Russian asset" who "traded teenagers with Jeffrey Epstein."
Q&A ID e26b3fb1-080e-48e9-bbe3-54e65e2b99b3
Keywordschuck-lorredonald-trumpmelania-trumphollywoodcomedyradical-leftanti-trumpidentity-politicslos-angelescbsproject-angel-foodmichelle-obamabreitbart-newspoliticsentertainmentculture-warsubversive-rhetorichot-takecelebrity-news

AMERICANALMANAC (Jack Newsome) - Sperm whales smash 52-foot yacht in Pacific, sailors forced into life raft

Sperm whales cracked a 52-foot yacht in the remote Pacific, forcing four sailors into a life raft for hours before a coordinated rescue pulled them to safety. A loud thud hit the Australian-flagged yacht Tai Tam far from any harbor. The whole boat shoved sideways. Jemma Cooper was thrown from the steering wheel by the […] The post Sperm whales smash 52-foot yacht in Pacific, sailors forced into life raft appeared first on American Almanac .

Sperm whales cracked a 52-foot yacht in the remote Pacific, forcing four sailors into a life raft for hours before a coordinated rescue pulled them to safety. A loud thud hit the Australian-flagged yacht Tai Tam far from any harbor. The whole boat shoved sideways. Jemma Cooper was thrown from the steering wheel by the force of the blow. She and the crew looked to port and saw the reason: a pod of six to eight sperm whales. The strike cracked the hull, smashed the steering gear, and sent water pouring in. Four sailors declared a full mayday and abandoned ship. Breitbart reported the vessel was roughly 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island when the whales struck. The sailors took to a life raft in open Pacific water with no shore in…Open

What other marine mammal encounters are mentioned as similar risks to yachts?
The article notes similar cetacean strikes where crews were left adrift, including a sperm whale pod incident in the South Pacific. It also highlights aggressive orca encounters off the coast of Spain, where orcas have been documented tearing at hulls and rudders, including one incident where a rudder was ripped clean off a sailboat in an eight-minute clash.
Q&A ID 078b063f-e5bf-4a6c-a821-35c3c13c03f9
What specific equipment and actions were credited with saving the sailors from the sperm whales?
The sailors were credited with being well-prepared and using their emergency equipment effectively. The early activation of their EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) provided searchers with a clear fix in a vast stretch of ocean. Additionally, the coordinated response from multiple international maritime and defense agencies, along with the assistance of commercial and private vessels, was cited as key to their survival.
Q&A ID 997d06de-1378-4cf2-a413-b945101b4340
Who were the primary individuals involved on the yacht Tai Tam during the sperm whale strike?
Jemma Cooper was one of the sailors on board who was thrown from the steering wheel by the force of the whale strike. Her husband, Jeremy Cooper, was also a crew member who noted that it was immediately evident that the situation was very serious after the impact.
Q&A ID f3ba2f36-268a-4ae8-b83e-1c909a7f25fe
How were the four sailors rescued after abandoning the yacht Tai Tam?
After the crew abandoned the vessel, an EPIRB alert was received by Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre at approximately 1 p.m. Saturday, New Zealand time. A multi-nation rescue chain was triggered involving the Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A aircraft, the New Zealand Defence Force, JRCC Australia, and MRCC Noumea. The sailors were eventually pulled to safety 18 hours after the alert by the cargo vessel MV SOFRANA SURVILLE and a private sailing vessel.
Q&A ID f40a7945-a8b1-45a7-a187-a788918a8c49
Keywordssperm-whaleyachtpacific-oceanmaritime-rescueocean-explorationcaught-on-cameramarine-lifesurvivalnew-zealandaustraliamaritime-safetyemergencysearch-and-rescuemaritime-lawcontainer-shiproyal-new-zealand-air-forcemarine-biologywhale-strikejemma-coopertai-tamnorfolk-islandsea-rescuemaritime-incidentadventurenaturemaritime-security

AMERICANALMANAC (Alan Benson) - Wynonna Judd and sister Ashley go quiet as family wounds fuel new album

Wynonna Judd says she and sister Ashley aren’t speaking right now, a family break that surfaces as her new album confronts secrets, anger, and their late mother Naomi. Country star Wynonna Judd told Fox News Digital she and actress Ashley Judd are “taking a break” and are not connected at the moment, even as Wynonna […] The post Wynonna Judd and sister Ashley go quiet as family wounds fuel new album appeared first on American Almanac .

Wynonna Judd says she and sister Ashley aren’t speaking right now, a family break that surfaces as her new album confronts secrets, anger, and their late mother Naomi. Country star Wynonna Judd told Fox News Digital she and actress Ashley Judd are “taking a break” and are not connected at the moment, even as Wynonna prepares to release her album “The Hard Truth” on Oct. 2. The record digs into complicated family ties, long-held secrets, anger, and forgiveness. Wynonna framed the silence with her sister in plain terms that many relatives would recognize. “We’re taking a break, which all families can relate to,” she said. “She’s doing her thing, and I’m doing mine.” That admission arrives alongside fresh talk about…Open

Who helped Wynonna Judd write "The Hard Truth" and what was the goal of the project?
Wynonna Judd co-wrote the album with her husband and producer Cactus Moser. Moser pushed her to be more open during the process, and Wynonna described the experience as "cathartic." She expressed that while the level of honesty in the album sometimes makes her feel unsettled, she felt it was time to tell her "testimony" and share her feelings regarding her family's history.
Q&A ID d7d33374-84e3-4d96-9759-6dc72d97584b
What were the professional achievements of the mother-daughter musical act known as The Judds?
Between 1984 and 1991, the mother-daughter act The Judds helped define 1980s country music with a roots-driven sound and tight harmonies. During this period, they scored 20 Top 10 country hits, which included 14 No. 1 singles. Their achievements also included winning five Grammy Awards, nine CMA Awards, and seven ACM Awards.
Q&A ID 47c70d72-d2b2-4605-98f3-d9f937dc9b6a
How did Wynonna Judd describe her relationship with her late mother, Naomi Judd, and the impact of Naomi's health struggles?
Wynonna described her relationship with Naomi Judd as a "paradox" filled with both a "tremendous amount of love" and "a lot of drama." She noted that their shared love of music helped them "bypass the bullcrap" and build a close bond. Wynonna also revealed that she kept the secret of Naomi's severe depression and illness for years, stating she was "devastated" by the situation. Naomi Judd passed away by suicide in April 2022 at the age of 76.
Q&A ID 795fc69c-582f-417f-a596-8ca1632eec51
What is the title and release date of Wynonna Judd's new album that addresses her family's history?
Wynonna Judd is releasing a new album titled "The Hard Truth" on October 2. The record is described as her most honest and vulnerable work to date, co-written with her husband and producer Cactus Moser. It explores complicated family ties, secrets, anger, and forgiveness.
Q&A ID 735c32b5-1275-4d38-ab64-1b4b0783281d
Keywordswynonna-juddashley-juddnaomi-juddcountry-musiccelebrity-newsentertainmentfamily-dramamusicalbumhard-truthcactus-moserfox-newsnashvilletennesseeculture-warcelebritysongwritergrammy-awardscma-awardsacm-awardsthe-juddsobituarysecretsmental-health

AMERICANALMANAC (Alan Benson) - Gordon Ramsay says flower bill, not giving Holly away, brought the tears at her wedding

Gordon Ramsay admits he cried walking his daughter down the aisle less from pure emotion than from sticker shock over the flower bill, until those blooms went to a hospital. The celebrity chef told Fox News Digital he looked like “a sack of f***ing custard” on the long walk into the church for daughter Holly’s […] The post Gordon Ramsay says flower bill, not giving Holly away, brought the tears at her wedding appeared first on American Almanac .

Gordon Ramsay admits he cried walking his daughter down the aisle less from pure emotion than from sticker shock over the flower bill, until those blooms went to a hospital. The celebrity chef told Fox News Digital he looked like “a sack of f***ing custard” on the long walk into the church for daughter Holly’s wedding, and that the flower tab was a big part of why. Holly Ramsay, 26, married Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, 31, on Dec. 27, 2025, at The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Bath, England. The couple had announced their engagement in 2024. Ramsay, 59, did not hide the father-daughter weight of the day. He also did not hide the bill. Sixty meters, expensive blooms, and a hospital donation He described the aisle…Open

What are some details regarding Holly Ramsay's wedding attire and her siblings?
Holly Ramsay wore three dresses during the wedding, which included her mother Tana’s 1996 wedding gown. Ramsay and Tana have six children in total: Megan (28), who is engaged; Matilda (Tilly, 24), who rehearsed her father's speech; and three boys.
Q&A ID 2712973e-6d34-4e57-bf76-f4a548dfde4a
What personal sacrifices did Gordon Ramsay mention regarding his restaurant empire and his children?
Ramsay stated that the "biggest, the most expensive ingredient in the world" was time. He admitted that building his restaurant empire required him to sacrifice time for school runs, dinners, plays, and nativities, choosing instead shorter stretches of higher-quality family time with his six children.
Q&A ID b1ed6c68-6131-440d-ad32-cb7ea4a389a8
How did Gordon Ramsay describe the emotional transition of a father during his daughter's wedding?
Ramsay described the walk down the aisle as the moment a father stops being the "main man" or the "number one guy" in his daughter's life. He explained that the relationship with a daughter is "borrowed time" before another man enters their lives, at which point the father becomes "second best."
Q&A ID dcdba91b-b8b6-48d4-9314-f8e1cc4c76e9
What practical step did Gordon Ramsay take regarding the expensive floral arrangements at Holly's wedding?
To address the high cost of the flowers, Ramsay arranged for the blooms to be donated to a local hospital after the wedding ceremony.
Q&A ID 6dd4d323-888b-4a51-832b-94f8b74ae1a5
Keywordsgordon-ramsayweddingholly-ramsayadam-peatyenglandcelebrityfox-newsapple-tvmichelin-starsfamilyculture-warentertainmentcookinglifestylecelebrity-newslondonbathhospital-donationrestaurant-empirefather-daughterwedding-dressvoguebritish-vogue

AMERICANALMANAC (Alex Tanzer) - Rod Stewart says Final Encore Tour will close his rock 'n' roll run, not his career

Rod Stewart says next year will mark his last rock 'n' roll tour forever, but the 81-year-old Grammy winner insists he is not retiring from show business. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee posted the news on Instagram on Monday, framing the dates ahead as one more round rather than a full exit […] The post Rod Stewart says Final Encore Tour will close his rock 'n' roll run, not his career appeared first on American Almanac .

Rod Stewart says next year will mark his last rock 'n' roll tour forever, but the 81-year-old Grammy winner insists he is not retiring from show business. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee posted the news on Instagram on Monday, framing the dates ahead as one more round rather than a full exit from the stage. UPI reported that Stewart is calling the run “The Final Encore Tour,” his last rock ‘n’ roll tour after a career that put him in the Hall of Fame in 1994. He did not dress it up as a quiet fade-out. He told fans he wants them there for the finish. On Instagram, Stewart wrote: "Well, here we go... one last time!" He followed with a direct invite: "Come and see me on my _The Final Encore Tour_ for one more round of rock…Open

What historical context did the article provide regarding Rod Stewart's career achievements?
The article notes that Rod Stewart is a Grammy winner and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. At 81 years old, he is described as maintaining the work ethic that built his catalog, choosing to provide a clear boundary for his final rock tour rather than "soft-pedaling" his next steps or milking endless "final" runs without a clear conclusion to the touring phase.
Q&A ID 7e333916-bbaf-4f9a-93e9-57f75dc7700f
How did Rod Stewart communicate his announcement regarding "The Final Encore Tour" to his fans?
Rod Stewart shared the news via a post and a video on Instagram on Monday. In the post, he invited fans to see him for one more round of rock 'n' roll and expressed his anticipation for the tour. In the accompanying video, he shared that after much deliberation and sadness, he decided that next year would be his last tour forever, while simultaneously cutting off rumors of a full retirement by stating, "I'm not retiring."
Q&A ID 1d50a581-8f09-46b0-a447-ca505b60ba4f
What specific distinction did 81-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rod Stewart make regarding his upcoming "The Final Encore Tour"?
Rod Stewart announced that "The Final Encore Tour" will mark his last rock 'n' roll tour forever, but he explicitly stated that he is not retiring from show business altogether. He framed the tour as one more round of rock 'n' roll rather than a full exit from the stage, clarifying that while the rock tour circuit ends next year, his broader career in show business remains open.
Q&A ID 61525b4f-3300-4f9f-8094-808fd9972b6c
Keywordsrod-stewartrock-n-rollfinal-encore-tourmusic-industryentertainmentgrammy-winnerhall-of-fameconcertstourrock-musiccelebrity-newsamericapop-culturelegendagingshow-businessinstagramamerican-almanacinformativefeel-good

AMERICANALMANAC (Sadie Smith) - Biden-appointed judge says only states can bar noncitizens from federal elections

A Biden-appointed Florida judge wiped out federal charges against a noncitizen who voted in 2020, holding that Congress has no power to ban noncitizens from federal elections, a ruling critics say guts a core election safeguard. U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz of the Southern District of Florida dismissed the case against Chelsea Cox in a […] The post Biden-appointed judge says only states can bar noncitizens from federal elections appeared first on American Almanac .

A Biden-appointed Florida judge wiped out federal charges against a noncitizen who voted in 2020, holding that Congress has no power to ban noncitizens from federal elections, a ruling critics say guts a core election safeguard. U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz of the Southern District of Florida dismissed the case against Chelsea Cox in a 31-page opinion that treats a long-standing federal ban as unconstitutional as applied to her. Cox, originally from Jamaica and not a U.S. citizen, cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election. Fox News Digital reported that Leibowitz concluded the Constitution leaves voter qualifications to the states, not to Congress, and that the 1996 criminal provision at issue crossed that line. The decision…Open

What is the SAVE Act, and what is its current status in the legislative process?
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) is a proposed piece of legislation that would require proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. It is intended to address concerns regarding the more than 30,000 noncitizens reportedly found on U.S. voter rolls. As of the report, the SAVE Act remains stalled in the Senate and is considered unlikely to pass before the midterms.
Q&A ID f2d6152f-6cd5-4153-a8b3-be6fe6d65708
What are the legal arguments and precedents cited by critics of Judge Leibowitz's ruling?
Critics, including Hans von Spakovsky of Advancing American Freedom, argue the ruling is "patently wrong" because it ignores that Congress is given 100% authority over naturalization under Article I, Section 8, which should grant the federal government authority to ban aliens from voting. Critics also pointed to Bluman v. FEC (2011), where the Supreme Court allowed the government to exclude foreign citizens from activities involving democratic self-regulation, and Oregon v. Mitchell (1970), which upheld federal power to set the voting age as a voter qualification.
Q&A ID 85a425d8-15e8-44bc-b2ae-d2e551d091f9
How did Senator Mike Lee respond to Judge Leibowitz's ruling regarding noncitizen voting?
Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, who co-authored the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), criticized the ruling as "insane" and predicted it would be overturned. He argued that the decision exposes Democratic resistance to stronger citizenship checks, noting that while Democrats may claim noncitizen voting is already illegal, activist judges are actively working to destroy the laws that ban noncitizens from voting.
Q&A ID 0bcccb50-3e34-4936-9cdd-51c20cc6bdc4
Who is Chelsea Cox, and what were the specific details of her alleged illegal voting activities?
Chelsea Cox is a noncitizen originally from Jamaica who lived in Florida and voted in Broward County. According to reports, she used a fraudulent birth certificate to obtain a Florida license and voted in federal elections from 2012 through 2020. While she voted multiple times, only her 2020 vote fell within the federal statute of limitations. Her attorney, Bruce Udolf, urged prosecutors to drop the matter, suggesting the situation cried out for government discretion.
Q&A ID 397459bd-be17-4b3d-aafa-7c13c8faadc7
Keywordsbidentrumpfloridaelectionimmigrationnoncitizen-votinglawfareradical-leftjudicial-warfareconstitutional-lawsave-actjustice-departmentfederal-judgevoter-rollsborder-securitydemocratsgopelection-integritylawsuitlegal-challengejudicial-rulingconstitutional-lawconservativepolitics

AMERICANALMANAC (Ken Jacobs) - Letitia James takes over Cornell rape probe after Hochul sidelines local prosecutor

New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened an active criminal investigation into 2024 Cornell rape allegations after Gov. Kathy Hochul named her special prosecutor, and after James already called the young woman’s ordeal “horrific.” James announced Friday morning that her office is now running a full criminal probe into an alleged sexual assault on […] The post Letitia James takes over Cornell rape probe after Hochul sidelines local prosecutor appeared first on American Almanac .

New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened an active criminal investigation into 2024 Cornell rape allegations after Gov. Kathy Hochul named her special prosecutor, and after James already called the young woman’s ordeal “horrific.” James announced Friday morning that her office is now running a full criminal probe into an alleged sexual assault on the Cornell University campus in October 2024, following an executive order Hochul signed a day earlier. The move pulls the case away from Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who declined to bring charges after the initial police referral nearly two years ago. Fox News reported that Hochul cited “serious questions about the investigation conducted by the Cornell…Open

How did Attorney General Letitia James publicly characterize the situation before officially taking over the criminal probe?
Before the formal takeover, Letitia James expressed her stance on social media, responding to coverage of the reopened Cornell matter by stating, "What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable." Upon taking over the case, she announced that her office would review the facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and pursue prosecutions if warranted, framing the move as a promise to ensure every New Yorker is seen and heard by the justice system.
Q&A ID a6f9669d-5a3b-4a67-a720-3d7633609d04
What actions has Cornell University taken in response to the investigation and the allegations?
Cornell University has stated that it fully supports the appointment of a special prosecutor and efforts to change New York State’s rape law. Additionally, the university has pledged to conduct an independent external review of all aspects of how it handled the case. The university also reopened its own investigation as political pressure mounted.
Q&A ID 0d1b5a13-935f-4a74-84df-79e0a10fb4b6
What specific allegations are contained in the civil lawsuit filed by the woman identified as Jane Doe against members of Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity?
In September, Jane Doe filed a civil complaint accusing seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, Xi chapter, of sexual assault and rape tied to an incident in October 2024. The complaint alleges that she was plied with alcohol and drugs to the point of intoxication by members of the Xi chapter, which resulted in her being sexually assaulted and raped by members of the regional fraternal organization at Cornell University.
Q&A ID e1c5b821-8343-4f87-8809-b518ee93ba2d
What is the position of Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten regarding the takeover of the Cornell rape probe?
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten maintains that his original decision not to prosecute was based on a November 2024 sworn statement where the victim described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as "voluntary, conscious, and consensual." He argues that his office could not base a decision on a civil lawsuit filed nearly two years later. However, he has expressed support for Attorney General Letitia James's appointment and stated that it has become clear the university did not provide the full picture, promising to cooperate fully with her office.
Q&A ID 3ce3a979-a500-4830-8026-3567be54d27b
Keywordsletitia-jameskathy-hochulcornell-universitynew-yorksexual-assaultcriminal-investigationdemocratgovernorprosecutorjusticelegal-actionfraternitychi-philawsuitcampus-safetytompkins-countyhigher-educationaccountability