2025-02-28 06:05:21.144

Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday. Hackman was 95, and Arakawa was 65. Their deaths are currently under investigation, though authorities have stated there were no apparent signs of foul play. Gene Hackman's youngest daughter, Leslie Anne Hackman, spoke to the Daily Mail about her father's health leading up to his death. She revealed that she hadn't spoken to her father or stepmother in a couple of months but stated that Hackman was in "very good physical condition" up until his passing. He reportedly maintained an active lifestyle, practicing Pilates and yoga several times a week. Leslie, who described a close relationship with her father, said there were no indications of health problems before his death. Leslie and her sister, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, speculate that a carbon monoxide leak may have been the cause of death. The police affidavit notes that the deaths were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation." An open prescription pill bottle and scattered pills were found near Arakawa and a deceased dog. Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. The family released a statement expressing their sadness and confirming the deaths. Leslie plans to travel to New Mexico to cooperate with the investigation once police provide more information.

2025-02-28 06:05:21.142

Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly announced that the FBI withheld "thousands of pages" of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. She sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding the full release of all documents, audio, and video recordings by Friday morning. Initially, Bondi received some documents including flight logs, phone numbers, and victim names, but a source within the New York FBI office revealed that many more documents were being withheld. This action follows reports of potential document destruction within the FBI. Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) is drafting the "Preventing Epstein Documentation Obliteration Act" (PEDO Act) to prevent the destruction of non-public Epstein records at the Department of Justice. A former FBI agent, Garret O’Boyle, hinted that the FBI may be destroying files, including potentially those related to Epstein. While the FBI has released some Epstein files online, the Justice Department is preparing to release 100 pages of Epstein’s personal address book. Conservative influencers received a portion of the Epstein files at the White House. Senator Marsha Blackburn also pushed for the full release of unredacted Epstein files, echoing concerns about a lack of transparency in the case. The FBI has not yet commented on the allegations.

2025-02-28 06:05:21.139

The Justice Department (DOJ) released a batch of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious sex trafficker. These files, initially given to handpicked conservative social media influencers, contained over 100 pages from Epstein's phone book, including contact lists and addresses, many of which were already public knowledge. The release included names such as Michael Jackson, Prince Andrew, Mick Jagger, Ethel Kennedy, Alec Baldwin, and Andrew Cuomo, but no new bombshells. Attorney General Pam Bondi later released the documents publicly, stating it was only "phase one" of the Epstein file release. She also demanded thousands of additional pages from the FBI. The released documents included flight logs previously made public during Ghislaine Maxwell's trial and a redacted list of 254 names under the title "MASSEUSES." Some influencers who received early access expressed disappointment, noting the lack of unexpected revelations. The documents' release has sparked further calls for transparency and the release of additional information.

2025-02-27 08:06:51.179

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice will likely release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, including flight logs from his private jet, the next day. The delay in releasing the documents was due to the need to protect the identities and personal information of over 250 victims. Bondi confirmed that the release would include flight logs, potentially revealing numerous names and significant information. She stated that the documents would be redacted to protect victims' identities. Speculation about Epstein's associates has mounted since his 2019 suicide. His co-defendant, Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in Epstein's crimes. Redacted versions of Epstein's contact book and flight logs have previously surfaced, but complete versions, along with alleged surveillance footage, have yet to be released publicly. A previous lawsuit unsealed documents naming over 170 people with ties to Epstein.

2025-02-27 08:06:13.025

NEW YORK (AP) — Michelle Trachtenberg, a former child star who appeared in the 1996 “Harriet the Spy” hit movie and went on to co-star in two buzzy millennial-era TV shows — “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl” — has died. She was 39. Police responded to a 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. at a 51-story luxury apartment tower in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood where officers found Trachtenberg “unconscious and unresponsive,” according to an NYPD statement. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. No foul play was suspected and the New York Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death, police said. “The family requests privacy for their loss,” Trachtenberg’s representative, Gary Mantoosh, said in a statement Wednesday. Trachtenberg was 8 when she began playing Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” from 1994 to 1996 and then starred in the title role in the film adaptations of “Harriet the Spy” and “Inspector Gadget,” opposite Matthew Broderick. “Michelle comes off as genuine because she really is a genuine kid. Everyone can identify with her,” said Debby Beece, president of Nickelodeon Movies in 1996. In 2000 Trachtenberg joined the cast of “Buffy,” playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the title character played by Sarah Michelle Gellar between 2000 and 2003. Trachtenberg thanked Gellar for speaking out against Joss Whedon in 2021, following abuse allegations made against the “Buffy” showrunner. “I am brave enough now as a 35-year-old woman to repost this,” she wrote on social media, and alluded to “his not appropriate behavior” she experienced as a teenage actor. In 2001, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for hosting Discovery’s “Truth or Scare.” Trachtenberg went on to recurring roles on “Six Feet Under,” “Weeds” and “Gossip Girl,” where she played the gang’s scheming nemesis, Georgina Sparks. For her fan-favorite role, she was nominated as a TV villain at the Teen Choice Award in 2012. “It’s definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl,” she told Seventeen in 2009. I love the reaction you get. I never understood why some actors don’t want to play villains or evil characters.” She was one of the original series’ stars to return for a pair of guest appearances in the 2021 “Gossip Girl” revival. Blake Lively on Instagram on Tuesday honored her “Gossip Girl” co-star: “The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.” As if to cement herself in millennial culture, Trachtenberg made a cameo in Fall Out Boy’s music video for the “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” alongside Seth Green. Hollywood took to social media to mourn one of their own, one who had made the transition from kid star to teen queen to adult actor. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-star David Boreanaz said on Instagram it was “so very sad.. horrible news.” Melissa Gilbert, who starred with Trachtenberg in the 1996 film “A Holiday for Love,” wrote on Instagram: “My heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so.” Rosie O’Donnell, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in her “Harriet the Spy” debut, said her death was “heartbreaking:” “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” Glee star Chris Colfer remembered her this way: “Michelle was the absolute sweetest and one of the most supportive people I knew,” he wrote. Trachtenberg’s later credits included “Ice Princess” in 2005, playing a math prodigy and aspiring figure skater. The AP said it had “a good, though feeble, heart and the best of intentions” and said Trachtenberg was “mining the same nervous twitter from her kid-sister days on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’” The New York City-born Trachtenberg also appeared in the 2004 teen sex comedy “EuroTrip,” she co-starred with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann in 2009’s “17 Again” and played a murderous stalker and abductor on an episode of “Criminal Minds.” For “Killing Kennedy,” the 2013 film in which she played the wife of Lee Harvey Oswald, around 80% of Trachtenberg’s dialogue was in Russian. She had learned the language from her mother growing up. Other credits included supporting roles in the films “Mysterious Skin” in 2004 and “Black Christmas” in 2006. She also starred on the NBC medical series “Mercy” (2009–2010) opposite Taylor Schilling. More recently, she hosted the true-crime docuseries “Meet, Marry, Murder” on Tubi. ___ Associated Press Writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report.

2025-02-27 08:05:35.053

The ongoing debate surrounding budget bills in the US Congress could significantly impact Americans' lives. House Republicans aim to extend trillions in expiring tax cuts, requiring offsetting cuts, potentially reaching $880 billion from federal programs over 10 years. Medicaid is a prime target for these cuts. While Republicans, including Senator Josh Hawley, express support for the program, particularly for working individuals, the proposed cuts raise concerns. President Trump, despite past assurances against cutting Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security, has left room for fraud reduction. Medicaid, a crucial component of the US social safety net, provides health insurance to over 72 million low-income Americans, covering children, seniors, people with disabilities, and parents. Coverage and eligibility vary widely across states. Federal and state governments jointly fund Medicaid, with federal matching varying by state. The program's cost totaled $880 billion in fiscal year 2023. Proposed cuts could involve work requirements, reducing the federal match for expansion populations, and implementing per capita caps. These cuts could lead to millions losing coverage. While there have been efforts to address wasteful spending, the program's popularity remains high, with over three-quarters of Americans holding a favorable view.

2025-02-27 07:43:45.149

Tsion Clayton, 23, and Kimone Green, 21, were charged with malice murder in the October 2023 death of 21-year-old Brianna Long. Long, a Valdosta State University student, was closing The Pier bar in Remerton, Georgia when a fight outside led to gunfire. A stray bullet struck and killed her. The suspects were already in custody on unrelated charges. Investigators believe they were involved in an ongoing gang dispute. Long was a standout soccer player and planned to graduate with a dental hygiene degree. Her mother has established the Brianna Long Foundation to honor her memory and promote dental care.

2025-02-27 07:40:28.988

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has shown further slight improvement as he battles double pneumonia, but doctors said Wednesday his prognosis is still guarded. A chest CT scan taken Tuesday evening showed the “normal evolution” of an infection as it is being treated, the Vatican said in its late update. The 88-year-old pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, is still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen but hasn’t had any more respiratory crises since Saturday. Blood tests, which had shown some low platelet counts and anemia, have confirmed an improvement and the slight kidney insufficiency detected a few days ago has receded, the statement said. Francis is continuing to receive respiratory physiotherapy, the statement said. It was the first time the Vatican has confirmed Francis was receiving physiotherapy to help him expel fluid from his lungs. A complex lung infection has kept the 88-year-old pope hospitalized in critical condition since Feb. 14. Francis has chronic lung disease and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital after a bout of bronchitis worsened. While doctors didn’t repeat that he was in critical condition in Wednesday’s update, as they have in recent days, they said his prognosis remained guarded, meaning he wasn’t out of danger. The pope resumed work in the afternoon from his hospital room, after receiving the Eucharist in the morning. And in a sign the Holy See machinery was grinding on, the Vatican announced he had appointed four new bishops and approved the creation of a new fundraising initiative to encourage donations to the Holy See, which has been enduring a financial crisis for years. Francis likely approved the bishop appointments awhile back and the new norms for the fundraising entity were approved Feb. 11, before he was hospitalized. But the announcements made them official and suggested Francis was still very much in charge and governing. Pilgrims descend on the hospital to be closer to Francis. If he were to look out the hospital window from the 10th floor, he might see that a steady stream of well-wishers are lighting candles and leaving him balloons and get-well cards at the statue of St. John Paul II near the Gemelli entrance. It has become something of a makeshift pilgrimage destination, especially for church groups in town for the Vatican’s Holy Year. On Wednesday, Bishop Gerardo Villalonga from Menorca, Spain led a group of 50 pilgrims to the site, saying they wanted to be as close to him as possible. Cardinal Re picked to lead prayer vigil on Wednesday. The dean of the College of Cardinals, meanwhile, was designated to lead the Vatican’s prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday night, thrusting a key figure in a future possible conclave into the spotlight. Francis recently extended the term of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, keeping him in the important job rather than naming someone new. From 2000-2010, Re was prefect of the Vatican’s congregation for bishops, one of the most powerful and influential positions in the Holy See. Francis made him dean in 2020 and confirmed him in the job in January despite the expiration of his five-year term. The faithful from Francis’ homeland, meanwhile, gathered in the Argentine church of Rome for a special Mass presided over by Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome. Reina also celebrated the lunchtime Mass on Wednesday at Gemelli to pray for Francis. Sister Nilda Trejo, an Argentine nun, said that she knew Francis’ health has always been delicate, with problems breathing and speaking loudly, and that’s why she always prayed for him.

2025-02-27 07:40:09.207

NEW YORK (AP) — Michelle Trachtenberg, a former child star who appeared in the 1996 “Harriet the Spy” hit movie and went on to co-star in two buzzy millennial-era TV shows — “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl” — has died. She was 39. Police responded to a 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. at a 51-story luxury apartment tower in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood where officers found Trachtenberg “unconscious and unresponsive,” according to an NYPD statement. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. No foul play was suspected and the New York Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death, police said. “The family requests privacy for their loss,” Trachtenberg’s representative, Gary Mantoosh, said in a statement Wednesday. Trachtenberg was 8 when she began playing Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” from 1994 to 1996 and then starred in the title role in the film adaptations of “Harriet the Spy” and “Inspector Gadget,” opposite Matthew Broderick. “Michelle comes off as genuine because she really is a genuine kid. Everyone can identify with her,” said Debby Beece, president of Nickelodeon Movies in 1996. In 2000 Trachtenberg joined the cast of “Buffy,” playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the title character played by Sarah Michelle Gellar between 2000 and 2003. Trachtenberg thanked Gellar for speaking out against Joss Whedon in 2021, following abuse allegations made against the “Buffy” showrunner. “I am brave enough now as a 35-year-old woman to repost this,” she wrote on social media, and alluded to “his not appropriate behavior” she experienced as a teenage actor. In 2001, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for hosting Discovery’s “Truth or Scare.” Trachtenberg went on to recurring roles on “Six Feet Under,” “Weeds” and “Gossip Girl,” where she played the gang’s scheming nemesis, Georgina Sparks. For her fan-favorite role, she was nominated as a TV villain at the Teen Choice Award in 2012. “It’s definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl,” she told Seventeen in 2009. I love the reaction you get. I never understood why some actors don’t want to play villains or evil characters.” She was one of the original series’ stars to return for a pair of guest appearances in the 2021 “Gossip Girl” revival. Blake Lively on Instagram on Tuesday honored her “Gossip Girl” co-star: “The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.” As if to cement herself in millennial culture, Trachtenberg made a cameo in Fall Out Boy’s music video for the “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” alongside Seth Green. Hollywood took to social media to mourn one of their own, one who had made the transition from kid star to teen queen to adult actor. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-star David Boreanaz said on Instagram it was “so very sad.. horrible news.” Melissa Gilbert, who starred with Trachtenberg in the 1996 film “A Holiday for Love,” wrote on Instagram: “My heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so.” Rosie O’Donnell, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in her “Harriet the Spy” debut, said her death was “heartbreaking:” “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” Glee star Chris Colfer remembered her this way: “Michelle was the absolute sweetest and one of the most supportive people I knew,” he wrote. Trachtenberg’s later credits included “Ice Princess” in 2005, playing a math prodigy and aspiring figure skater. The AP said it had “a good, though feeble, heart and the best of intentions” and said Trachtenberg was “mining the same nervous twitter from her kid-sister days on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’” The New York City-born Trachtenberg also appeared in the 2004 teen sex comedy “EuroTrip,” she co-starred with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann in 2009’s “17 Again” and played a murderous stalker and abductor on an episode of “Criminal Minds.” For “Killing Kennedy,” the 2013 film in which she played the wife of Lee Harvey Oswald, around 80% of Trachtenberg’s dialogue was in Russian. She had learned the language from her mother growing up. Other credits included supporting roles in the films “Mysterious Skin” in 2004 and “Black Christmas” in 2006. She also starred on the NBC medical series “Mercy” (2009–2010) opposite Taylor Schilling. More recently, she hosted the true-crime docuseries “Meet, Marry, Murder” on Tubi. ___ Associated Press Writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report.

2025-02-27 05:16:00.276

Pope Francis has shown further slight improvement in his battle against double pneumonia, but doctors maintain a guarded prognosis. A chest CT scan revealed the infection is evolving normally under treatment. The 88-year-old pontiff, who had part of a lung removed in his youth, continues to receive high-flow supplemental oxygen but hasn't experienced respiratory crises since Saturday. Blood tests indicate improvement in low platelet counts and anemia, and kidney insufficiency has receded. He's undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to help expel fluid from his lungs. The Pope resumed work from his hospital room and made several official appointments, suggesting he remains in charge despite his condition. Meanwhile, pilgrims gather outside the hospital to offer prayers and well wishes. The dean of the College of Cardinals will lead a prayer vigil, highlighting the significance of this key figure in a potential future conclave.

2025-02-27 00:00:38.513

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in "Gossip Girl" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," has died at the age of 39. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that her death may be related to complications from a liver transplant she received within the last year. Police and paramedics responded to a call for a woman in cardiac arrest and found Trachtenberg unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene. While police currently believe the death was of natural causes, the exact cause remains unclear. In recent months, Trachtenberg had posted photos on social media that led some fans to express concern about her appearance. She defended herself against criticism, stating she was "happy and healthy." Trachtenberg rose to fame as a child star in "Harriet the Spy" before gaining recognition for her roles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl." A representative for Trachtenberg confirmed her death and asked for privacy.

2025-02-26 19:32:36.963

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in Gossip Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Ice Princess, has died at age 39. The New York Police Department responded to a 911 call at her apartment, finding her unresponsive. While the cause of death is yet to be determined, police are not considering it suspicious. Reports indicate she had recently undergone a liver transplant. Trachtenberg's career began early, with appearances in commercials and roles in shows like Law & Order and The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She gained recognition for her role as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and later as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. In 2021, she made allegations of physical abuse against Buffy creator Joss Whedon. Tributes have poured in from fellow actors, including her Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick and Rosie O'Donnell, who co-starred with her in Harriet the Spy.

2025-02-26 19:17:14.905

Pope Francis is showing slight improvement in his battle against double pneumonia, but doctors say his prognosis remains guarded. A chest CT scan showed the infection is evolving normally under treatment. The 88-year-old pope is receiving high-flow supplemental oxygen but hasn't had respiratory crises since Saturday. Blood tests show improvement in low platelet counts and anemia, and kidney insufficiency has receded. He's undergoing respiratory physiotherapy. While not explicitly stated as critical, his condition is still considered guarded. Despite his hospitalization, Francis resumed work from his hospital room, appointing new bishops and approving a new fundraising initiative. Pilgrims have gathered outside the hospital to show support. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, led a prayer vigil, highlighting his importance in a potential future papal conclave. Prayers were also offered in Argentina and at the hospital.