# data[].attributes.body
A controversial photo of our superintendent has surfaced and the Board of education is negotiating his contract. He responded saying "As the leader of the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, I care deeply about representing our district and our community responsibly. I am aware of and concerned about an image of me enjoying time with family and friends that has been brought into the public light. It's unfortunate that this photograph has surfaced. As such, I'm committed to discussing the image with the Board of Education and moving forward."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lee's Summit School District Superintendent Dr. Dennis Carpenter is responding to controversy about a photo of him that was posted to social media.

That photo, which was taken at a college football game, shows Carpenter making an inappropriate gesture.

The photo was reportedly found on the profile of one of Carpenter's social media friends. It is believed to have been taken at the Nov. 24 Georgia Southern vs. Georgia State football game in Atlanta.

That photo was then found and reposted, and others started calling Carpenter's behavior into question.

Carpenter issued a statement regarding that photo through the Lee's Summit School District on Wednesday.

"As the leader of the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, I care deeply about representing our district and our community responsibly," Carpenter said in the statement.

"I am aware of and concerned about an image of me enjoying time with family and friends that has been brought into the public light. It's unfortunate that this photograph has surfaced. As such, I'm committed to discussing the image with the Board of Education and moving forward."

The Lee's Summit school board is currently negotiating Carpenter's contract.

KMBC 9 News reached out to the school district for information on the district's social media policy with regard to district employees.

A district spokesperson issued this statement:
"The ubiquity of social media and the inability to control what people post on social media can have ramifications beyond our control and is a problem we are all wrestling with in both the public and private sector. The Board of Education will look into the circumstances and visit with Dr. Carpenter to seek his perspective just like we would anyone else."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lee's Summit superintendent responding to controversy over Facebook photo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lee's Summit School District Superintendent Dr. Dennis Carpenter is responding to controversy about a photo of him that was posted to social media. That photo, which was taken at a college football game, shows Carpenter making an inappropriate gesture. The photo was reportedly found on the profile of one of Carpenter's social media friends.

# data[].attributes.body
A superintendent in Indiana is facing fraud charges for using her sons name to seek medical treatment for a sick student. She is facing insurance fraud, insurance application fraud, and identity deception. She took a 15 year old to a doctor after he didn't go to school for a sore throat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
An Indiana school superintendent is facing fraud charges for allegedly using her son's name to seek medical treatment for a sick student.

Casey Smitherman, who heads the Elwood Community School Corporation, faces insurance fraud, insurance application fraud and identity deception. On Jan. 9, she allegedly took a 15-year-old student to a doctor after he didn't show up to school due to a sore throat, FOX affiliate WXIN-TV in Indianapolis reported.

"After making sure he had eaten, I could tell he had some of the symptoms of strep throat," Smitherman said in a Wednesday statement obtained by the station. "As a parent, I know how serious this illness can be if left untreated, and I took him to an emergency clinic."
VIRGINIA TEACHER REPORTEDLY FIRED FOR REFUSING TO USE PRONOUN FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENT
At the doctor's office, Smitherman allegedly signed the boy in and obtained a drug prescription for Amoxicillin for him under her son's name. The medical visit and medicine cost $233, according to court documents.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Police received a tip about the doctor's visit and followed up with Smitherman. She told investigators she was worried about the teen and in the past had brought him clothes and helped him clean his house, court documents said. In her statement, she said prosecutors agreed to have her attend a diversion program in lieu of jail time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Indiana superintendent charged with Fraud for allegedly using own insurance to help ill student

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An Indiana school superintendent is facing fraud charges for allegedly using her son's name to seek medical treatment for a sick student. Casey Smitherman, who heads the Elwood Community School Corporation, faces insurance fraud, insurance application fraud and identity deception. On Jan.

# data[].attributes.body
12 year old girls were allegedly strip searched at a New York school because they were thought to be possessing drugs because of their "giddy" behavior. The school board apologized fo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A community firestorm has erupted over an alleged strip search of four 12-year-old girls at a New York middle school.

The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin says about 200 community members packed a heated school board meeting this week to discuss the incident.

They said the girls, who are black, were questioned and strip-searched by the school nurse and assistant principal because they seemed giddy during their lunch hour and were suspected of possessing drugs.

The local NAACP is demanding accountability measures.

The school district says it's sorry for the "unintended" consequence of "making the students feel traumatized."

It says students may be required to empty their pockets and remove shoes or jackets. Its statement made no mention of strip searches.

A procedural review is planned.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Anger over alleged strip searches at upstate NY school

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A community firestorm has erupted over an alleged strip search of four 12-year-old girls at a New York middle school. The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin says about 200 community members packed a heated school board meeting this week to discuss the incident. They said the...

# data[].attributes.body
A child was sitting in the back of the car when the kid grabbed an unsecured shotgun and shot their mom through the seat. The mom is now in the hospital suffering from a gunshot wound but she is excepted to live.

# data[].attributes.body
In the past week, Trump's wish to ban transgender troops went into effect by the Supreme Court, ruling over a past set precedent

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In a 5-4 vote on Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to begin enforcing a ban -- with some exceptions -- on transgender military service members while legal appeals continue. The move, which is temporary, reversed a lower court order that had put the policy on hold and does not yet have an immediate effect on the service of transgender individuals in the military.

Interested in LGBT?

Add LGBT as an interest to stay up to date on the latest LGBT news, video, and analysis from ABC News.

The ban was first set in motion in July 2017 when President Donald Trump tweeted that he would no longer "accept or allow" transgender individuals to serve in the military, prompting the Pentagon to scramble to revise its policy and triggering legal challenges from critics who called the move discriminatory and unconstitutional.

While the ban so far has never taken effect, ABC News breaks down what changes could be ahead and what the court's ruling means.

What happens next?

Officials told ABC News that the decision has no immediate effect because one nationwide injunction against the ban remains in place in the Maryland Federal District Court's case of Stone v. Trump.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently seeking relief from the remaining injunction in light of the Supreme Court's action. If that takes place as expected, the Pentagon could soon decide to begin implementing the partial ban on transgender troops as the appeals process in the lower courts continues.

What does the Department of Defense say?

In a statement Wednesday, a Department of Defense spokesperson said the Pentagon was consulting with DOJ on its next steps with the litigation, but they "look forward to continuing to press our case in the courts."

"Because it is critical that the department be permitted to formulate personnel policies that it determines are necessary to ensure the most lethal and combat effective fighting force in the world, the department welcomes the Supreme Court's action," the spokesperson said in the statement.

However, the four service chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps have testified in Congress that the presence of transgender service members has had no effect on unit cohesion, discipline or morale.

STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images

What is the new policy?

In a March memorandum, Trump concurred with the policy recommendations of then-Defense Secretary James Mattis that transgender individuals "with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria" are unable to serve except under limited circumstances. In a memo to Trump dated Feb. 22 -- citing his own professional judgment and a panel of experts with "professional military judgment" -- Mattis recommended the following three policies, with which the president concurred:

1. "Transgender person with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria are disqualified from military service, except under the following circumstances: (1) if they have been stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex prior to our accession; (2) Servicemembers diagnosed with gender dysphoria after entering into service may be retained if they do not require a change of gender and remain deployable with an applicable retention standards; and (3) currently serving service members who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria since the previous administration's policy took effect and prior to the effective date of this new policy, may continue to serve in their preferred gender and receive medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria."

2. "Transgender person who require or have undergone gender transition are disqualified from military service."

3. "Transgender person without a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria, who are otherwise qualified for service, may serve, like all other service members, and their biological sex."

ABC News' Devin Dwyer contributed to this report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What's next for Trump's transgender troop ban after Supreme Court decision

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In a 5-4 vote on Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to begin enforcing a ban -- with some exceptions -- on transgender military service members while legal appeals continue. The move, which is temporary, reversed a lower court order that had put the policy on hold and does not yet have an immediate effect on the service of transgender individuals in the military.

# data[].attributes.body
Jayme Closs will receive $25,000 in Reward money for her miraculous rescue. This money was originally raised to give to anyone with tips to rescue her. Jayme has been called her own "hero" in this case and will be rewarded generously. In total, the FBI had $50,000 raised to

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Minnesota-based company will donate $25,000 in reward money to Jayme Closs, the Wisconsin 13-year-old who escaped from her abductor's home earlier this month.

Turkey processor Jennie-O, a subsidiary of Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods, had initially offered the reward money in exchange for information leading to the teenager's return, but now it plans to give the money directly to Jayme, according to a statement released Wednesday.

Jayme escaped and was discovered on Jan. 10, after spending nearly three months in captivity with a man who allegedly kidnapped her from her home in October and killed her parents, Denise and James Closs, authorities said. She was found in Gordon, Wisconsin, about 70 miles north of her hometown of Barron.

Jayme Closs is pictured in this undated photo posted to Facebook.

Jennie-O Turkey Store President Steve Lykken said the young girl's parents were longtime employees of the Jennie-O location in their hometown. Jennie-O and the FBI had contributed a total of $50,000 for information about the teen's location.

"Here in Barron our Jennie-O family is dealing with a very tragic situation. While we are still mourning the loss of longtime family members Jim and Denise, we are so thankful for Jayme's brave escape and that she is back in Barron," Lykken said Wednesday. "The company has expressed its wishes to donate the $25,000 to Jayme. Our hope is that a trust fund can be used for Jayme's needs today and in the future."

He said the firm is working with law enforcement to donate its share of the reward fund.

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2019 file photo, a "Welcome Home, Jayme!" sign is shown in front of the Jennie-O Turkey Store in Barron, Wis., where her parents, James and Denise Closs, worked. Hormel Foods and Jennie-O say they'll donate the $25,000 it had offered in reward money for information leading to Jayme Closs directly to the 13-year-old girl. Jayme was kidnapped from her home in Barron, Wisconsin, on Oct. 15 and both of her parents were killed. . She escaped 88 days later. Twenty-one -year-old Jake Patterson is charged with kidnapping and homicide. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen)

FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2018, file photo, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald speaks during a news conference about 13-year-old Jayme Closs who has been missing since her parents were found dead in their home in Barron, Wis. Hormel Foods and Jennie-O say they'll donate the $25,000 it had offered in reward money for information leading to Jayme Closs directly to the 13-year-old girl. Jayme was kidnapped from her home in Barron, Wisconsin, on Oct. 15 and both of her parents were killed. . She escaped 88 days later. Twenty-one -year-old Jake Patterson is charged with kidnapping and homicide. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP, File)/Star Tribune via AP)

Jake Patterson, 21, of Gordon, was arrested and charged with kidnapping Jayme and killing her parents, officials said.

Patterson allegedly gunned down the young girl's parents at their home on Oct. 15 and fled with the girl in the trunk of his car before police arrived. Jayme said she managed to escape when Patterson left his home and ordered her to stay under a bed until he returned, according to a criminal complaint.

Officers with the Barron County Sheriff's Department referred to Jayme as "the hero in this case" on Wednesday.

"On behalf of the Barron County Sheriff's Department and all the law enforcement agencies that assisted in this case, we would like to thank Jennie-O for their support and assistance during this case," Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said in a statement. "We also agree that Jayme is the hero in this case and happy they have chosen her to receive the company's reward contribution."

"The partnerships created during this case will not only help Jayme and her family in the future but will continue to make us all stronger, led by the idea that we will never give up hope," he added.

Patterson allegedly confessed to investigators that he targeted Jayme after seeing her board her school bus; he didn't know her, but decided "that was the girl he was going to take," according to a criminal complaint.

He made his first appearance in court last week, but he did not enter a plea. Patterson's next court date is scheduled for Feb. 6.
ABC News' Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jayme Closs, 13, to receive $25,000 in reward money for rescuing herself

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Barron County Sheriff's Department refereed to Jayme as "the hero in this case"

# data[].attributes.body
Jamies Closs who was kidnapped for 88 days will receive at least $25,000 in reward for her bravery and strength.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs, who was held captive for 88 days before a dramatic escape from her abductor's home, will reportedly receive at least $25,000 in reward money since she freed herself.

Turkey products company Jennie-O said it will donate to the 13-year-old girl the $25,000 it had offered in reward money for information leading directly to Closs. Her parents, James and Denise Closs, both worked at Jennie-O for 27 years, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported. James and Denise were shot and killed by the man who abducted Closs.

The FBI and Jennie-O contributed a total of $50,000 for information on Jayme's whereabouts. Jennie-O and its parent company, Hormel Foods, said Thursday they were working with law enforcement to get their share of the reward to Closs. It was not clear what the FBI will do with the $25,000 it offered and details on the bureau's rewards are generally not disclosed.
JAYME CLOSS ABDUCTOR HOSTED CHRISTMAS PARTY WHILE KEEPING TEEN IMPRISONED IN HOME, REPORT SAYS
"Her [Closs] bravery and strength have truly inspired our team members around the world," Jim Snee, the CEO of Hormel Foods said in a statement. "Barron is an incredibly strong community and one that never lost hope. We celebrated with the community, and the world, that Jayme is home."

Steve Lykken, the president of Jennie-O, said the company hoped a trust fund would be created for any future expenses.

Closs was kidnapped from her home in Barron on Oct. 15. Three months later, on Jan. 10, Closs escaped her abductor's secluded home and approached a woman walking her dog for help.

Jake Patterson, 21, of Gordon, was charged with kidnapping and homicide.
JAYME CLOSS SHOULD GET $50G REWARD OFFERED BECAUSE 'SHE GOT HERSELF OUT,' 911 CALLER'S HUSBAND SAYS
Patterson allegedly kept Closs locked inside his Gordon home. He told authorities he first saw the teen after he stopped behind a school bus on Highway 8 while he was driving to work. He reportedly had no other interactions with her or her parents prior to the night of the kidnapping.
Fox News' Katherine Lam and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jayme Closs will receive at least $25G in reward money due to her 'bravery and strength'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs, who was held captive for 88 days before a dramatic escape from her abductor's home, will reportedly receive at least $25,000 in reward money since she freed herself. Turkey products company Jennie-O said it will donate to the 13-year-old girl the $25,000 it had offered in reward money for information leading directly to Closs.

# data[].attributes.body
The wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman played a key role in his infamous 2015 escape from prison through a tunnel dug into the shower of his cell, a witness testified Wednesday at the kingpin's U.S. trial.

# data[].attributes.body
A man in Troy Missouri went to CDY fitness for a workout, and the gym owner told him not to wear his Trump shirt to the gym again because "It is offensive and supports racism."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
January 24 at 9:26 AM
A national climate in which politics feels intensely personal, combined with social media's power to disseminate, means that a disagreement between friends can quickly become a partisan conflagration in which strangers hundreds of miles away choose a side.

That's what's happened to Staff Sgt. Jake Talbot and gym owner Liz Drew, who disagreed over a Trump T-shirt in a Missouri fitness center and now find themselves at the center of an online debate. Their versions of events align neatly, but both came away with different impressions of the incident.

On Sunday, Talbot went to work out at CDY Fitness in Troy, Mo., as he'd done regularly for eight years. As the Army veteran and National Guardsman had done a few times in the past, he wore a black shirt imprinted with the slogan, "2016 Trump for President." It wouldn't have been the most unexpected sight in a state that went for Donald Trump in 2016 and voted to oust a Democratic senator, Claire McCaskill, in the past midterm election.

But to some customers, the shirt had stood out, and they found it disconcerting, according to Drew.

CDY Fitness's website describes it as "The gym where everybody knows your name," and Drew and Talbot each said they considered the other a friend.

"He has come to the gym very regularly when he was in town, leaned across the counter of my front desk and talked to me about various problems that he's had," Drew said. It didn't seem like a big deal to talk to him about a shirt.

Drew said she took him aside and privately asked him not to wear the shirt again. "I said it could be construed as racist and several of my members had complained about feeling uncomfortable when he wore that," she recalled.

Talbot walked away from the conversation feeling that he had been unfairly attacked and took specific issue with the idea that his shirt could have racist connotations. "There's nothing wrong with the shirt, there's nothing vulgar," Talbot told The Post. "It's just a supportive shirt, for who I'm supporting. I would never tell anybody else, I would never turn anyone away from anything because of their beliefs, their religion, their opinions, anything."

"Everyone has their own opinions. It's a free country," he said.
[Perspective: The Covington students and the calculated art of making people uncomfortable]
Driving home from the gym, he pulled out his smartphone and began to film himself explaining what had transpired.

"I just left CDY Fitness here in Troy, working out. When I was starting, the owner, Liz, came up to me and said that my Trump shirt that I had on was offensive, and that I'd need to remove it in order to work out there. And it's linked to racism," he said in a video.

"Which, I freaking hate that word; whenever people use it, it's thrown around way too loosely. It's 2019; get the hell over it. It's not racism," he said.

He then uploaded the video to Facebook, making it visible to the public. And what had once been a contained disagreement became a very public debacle.

More than 600 messages have been posted beneath Talbot's video, with supporters of both viewpoints sparring in the thread. Some appeared to be from Missouri, while others came from across the country. Dana Loesch, the National Rifle Association spokeswoman, shared Talbot's story on Facebook. Conservative-leaning Twitter accounts decried Drew's decision.

Talbot believes that accusations of racism are leveled too frequently in online and public debate. "If you believe in something opposite somebody else, they immediately point out that you're racist because of this, you're racist because you support this," he said. "I'm not racist. I'm sure Donald Trump is not racist."

He said racism "shouldn't be a topic, really. That was a long time ago."

President Trump has come under fire several times throughout his candidacy and presidency for making comments viewed as racist. He called some Mexicans "rapists" in his 2015 speech announcing his campaign, blamed "both sides" after a 2017 clash between white supremacists and counterprotesters in Charlottsville left one woman dead, and referred to nations such as Haiti and El Salvador as "sh--hole countries" in a 2018 meeting.
[Lara Trump tells federal workers that their missed paychecks are sacrifices for the 'future of our country']
Legally, Drew was within her rights to ask him not to wear the shirt, attorney and constitutional law expert Floyd Abrams said.

"If the gym is privately owned, the proprietor may impose whatever limits on dress he or she wishes so long as it does not violate state or federal law such as those barring racial or religious discrimination . . . however anti-social and regressive those limits may be," he said.

The First Amendment limits the government's ability to infringe on speech, Abrams explained. But it has not been held to apply generally to all people, as opposed to the government. Therefore, it would not protect a person who wants to wear a shirt supporting or denouncing the president from being excluded from a private business.

Drew maintains that it was a desire to keep her gym "a politics-free zone," rather than anti-Trump sentiment, that informed her personal decision to confront Talbot. It was clear to her, however, that some at the gym took issue with the shirt's political message.

"I've got many members here that felt uncomfortable, with the political state of affairs, with the current atmosphere," she said. She maintains that she would have asked the same of patrons wearing a shirt supporting Democrats Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
[A tough-talking, pro-Trump sheriff implores Obama and Bush: 'America needs your help']
But partisan tensions in the country have increased since the Obama era, according to a 2017 study by the Pew Research Center.

"The divisions between Republicans and Democrats on fundamental political values - on government, race, immigration, national security, environmental protection and other areas - reached record levels during Barack Obama's presidency. In Donald Trump's first year as president, these gaps have grown even larger," the study found.

"The magnitude of these differences dwarfs other divisions in society, along such lines as gender, race and ethnicity, religious observance or education," the report said.

In the midst of this national division, Drew's desire to keep her gym apolitical has put it at the center of a partisan dust-up. Drew said she has been dealing with the backlash and had tried to stay out of the spotlight. Then calls started pouring in to CDY's front desk. Profane anonymous callers declared Drew a "Nazi" and worse. She says she took the gym's Facebook page down, as it was being spammed with hateful messages. Trolls as far away as Arizona and Nevada left a handful of one-star reviews on the gym's Yelp page, claiming it had "condoms on the treadmills" and "no real leadership, just snowflake oxygen thieves."

While Talbot said he had gotten some negative messages, "I'm just overwhelmed with all the support that's flown in on messages and calls." He says that he's been offered free gym memberships in Florida and Texas, and has been interviewed by local media.

"I just want it to go away," Drew said. "I just want it to get back [to normal]. This gym is my happy place."

"I'm tired of the split, the divide in the whole country," Talbot told KSDK, an NBC affiliate in St. Louis. "We need to come together."

At least on that point, they can agree.
Read more: Catholic school teen in viral video: 'Now I wish I would have walked away' School district apologizes after students told 'Make America Great Again' shirts not allowed in class At least five dead after gunman barricades himself in Florida bank, authorities say Nurse charged with sexual assault after woman in vegetative state gave birth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
She asked him not to wear his Trump shirt at her gym. It caused an uproar.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
January 24 at 9:26 AM A national climate in which politics feels intensely personal, combined with social media's power to disseminate, means that a disagreement between friends can quickly become a partisan conflagration in which strangers hundreds of miles away choose a side. That's what's happened to Staff Sgt.

# data[].attributes.body
Early Thursday morning, a St. Louis police officer was hospitalized by a gunshot wound. About an hour later, she was reported dead.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A police officer was shot and killed in St. Louis, authorities said.

The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis said via Twitter early Thursday morning that one of its officers had been hospitalized for a gunshot wound.

An SLMPD officer has been transported to an area hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. no information on a condition. We will provide additional information as it comes available.
- St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) January 24, 2019

About an hour later, the police department revealed that the female officer had died.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that the officer transported to the hospital has succumbed to her injuries. We ask that you keep the officer's family and the entire SLMPD in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of our officer and friend," the department tweeted.

We are deeply saddened to announce that the officer transported to the hospital has succumbed to her injuries. We ask that you keep the officer's family and the entire SLMPD in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of our officer and friend. pic.twitter.com/NGcU4tpXiU
- St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) January 24, 2019

It's the second law enforcement officer in the United States this week to die from gunfire in the line of duty. Officer Sean Tuder was shot and killed Sunday attempting to serve an arrest warrant in Mobile, Alabama.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
St. Louis police officer dies from gunshot wound

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A police officer was shot and killed in St. Louis, authorities said. The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis said via Twitter early Thursday morning that one of its officers had been hospitalized for a gunshot wound. An SLMPD officer has been transported to an area hospital suffering from a gunshot wound.

# data[].attributes.body
The 2019 Pro Bowl skills showdown roster was released. With the Pro Bowl being this Sunday the skills showdown will be held tonight. It is a series of football based games that test the players that were voted into the Pro Bowl

# data[].attributes.body
A female police officer was shot and killed in St. Louis. She was sent to the hospital, but the police department revealed that she had died an hour later. This is the second police officer that has died from gunshot wounds this week, the other happening in

# data[].attributes.body
A Female St.Louis police officer was killed from a gunshot wound

# data[].attributes.body
In late March, a taunting letter and a map were sent to an FBI agent in the Modesto, California, office, giving investigators a big clue into where Juli Sund was.

# data[].attributes.body
A European court has ordered the Italian Government to pay Amanda Knox 18,400 Euros($20,000) in damages for not providing her access to her lawyer and a translator when she was being questioned for the murder of her roommate in 2007.

# data[].attributes.body
The most expensive home in US history, dubbed "billionaire's bunker", just sold for $238 million. The buyer of them home, Ken Griffin, also owns three other estates well into the millions from Chicago to London and a large sum of land in Palm Beach. The developer, Steven Roth, says most buyers are under wraps but Griffins neighbors will include Sting and Trudie Styler.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Most expensive home in US – dubbed ‘billionaires’ bunker’ – purchased for $238 million

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A hedgefunder has just bought the most expensive home in US history — a $238 million four-story condo on Central Park South in a building dubbed the billionaires’ bunker.”

# data[].attributes.body
Nancy Pelosi is under fire by President Trump for requested a funded trip to Afghanistan during the government shutdown. President Trump explained in a letter to Pelosi that many of the workers in Afghanistan were among those not being paid during the shutdown, although they still had to work in planning her trip over holiday weekends. Before President Trump cancelled her trip, Pelosi was planning on using military aircraft to

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When President Trump denied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi use of a military aircraft for a CODEL (congressional delegation trip) to Afghanistan recently, he called the public's attention to wasteful taxpayer-funded congressional travel.

In his letter to Pelosi blocking the trip, President Trump mentioned the 800,000 federal workers going without pay. The real irony is that U.S. government workers in Afghanistan, who were among those not being paid, worked for two weeks to plan the trip - and on a holiday weekend.

We at Judicial Watch were not at all surprised by this foolishness. For years we have been exposing the lucrative travel our leaders enjoy at taxpayer expense.
TRUMP MADE DEMS 'LOOK LIKE FOOLS' BY CANCELING PELOSI TRIP, MSNBC'S CHRIS MATTHEWS SAYS
We have long noted Pelosi's abuse of the perks of public office that granted her access to luxury military travel. This current expedition is hardly new for her.

In 2009, during Pelosi's first speakership, we uncovered documents from the Department of Defense detailing her multiple requests for military air travel. The documents included internal DOD email correspondence detailing attempts by DOD staff to accommodate Pelosi's numerous requests for military escorts and military aircraft as well as the speaker's last-minute cancellations and changes. https://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-uncovers-documents-detailing-pelosis-repeated-requests-military-travel/

In response to a series of requests for military aircraft, one Defense Department official wrote, "Any chance of politely querying [Pelosi's team] if they really intend to do all of these or are they just picking every weekend?... [T]here's no need to block every weekend 'just in case'..." The email also notes that Pelosi's office had, "a history of canceling many of their past requests."

One DOD official complained about the "hidden costs" associated with the speaker's last-minute changes and cancellations. "We have ... folks prepping the jets and crews driving in (not a short drive for some), cooking meals and preflighting the jets etc."

The documents include a discussion of House Ethics rules and Defense Department policies as they apply to the speaker's requests for staff, spouses and extended family to accompany her on military aircraft. In May 2008, for example, Pelosi requested that her husband join her on a CODEL into Iraq. The DOD explained to Pelosi that the agency has a written policy prohibiting spouses from joining CODEL's into combat zones.

We reported in 2010 that Pelosi's jet travel cost the Air Force $2,100,744.59 over a two-year period - $101,429.14 of which was for in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol. Some details:

The average cost of an international CODEL was $228,563.33. Of the 103 Pelosi-led CODELs, 31 trips included members of the House Speaker's family.

One CODEL traveling through Tel Aviv, Israel, to Baghdad, Iraq, May 15-20, 2008, included members of Congress and their spouses and cost $17,931 per hour in aircraft alone. Purchases for the CODEL included: Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, E&J brandy, Bailey's Irish Crème, Maker's Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Bacardi Light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewars scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey, Corona beer and several bottles of wine.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
And the CODELs didn't stop after Speaker Pelosi lost power in 2010. We recently released more FOIA documents showing a bill for $184.587.81 for then-House Minority Leader Pelosi's CODEL to Italy and Ukraine in 2015.

Shutdowns aside, given that our national debt is nearly $22 trillion, it might be reasonable to ask members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, to forego both the booze and the frivolous junkets.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TOM FITTON

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tom Fitton: 'Air Pelosi' - What you don't know about the lucrative travel our leaders enjoy on your dime

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When President Trump denied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi use of a military aircraft for a CODEL (congressional delegation trip) to Afghanistan recently, he called the public's attention to wasteful taxpayer-funded congressional travel. In his letter to Pelosi blocking the trip, President Trump mentioned the 800,000 federal workers going without pay.

# data[].attributes.body
A company based in Minnesota will be donating $25,000 in reward money to Jayme Closs for being her own hero.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Minnesota-based company will donate $25,000 in reward money to Jayme Closs, the Wisconsin 13-year-old who escaped from her abductor's home earlier this month.

Turkey processor Jennie-O, a subsidiary of Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods, had initially offered the reward money in exchange for information leading to the teenager's return, but now it plans to give the money directly to Jayme, according to a statement released Wednesday.

Jayme escaped and was discovered on Jan. 10, after spending nearly three months in captivity with a man who allegedly kidnapped her from her home in October and killed her parents, Denise and James Closs, authorities said. She was found in Gordon, Wisconsin, about 70 miles north of her hometown of Barron.

Jayme Closs is pictured in this undated photo posted to Facebook.

Jennie-O Turkey Store President Steve Lykken said the young girl's parents were longtime employees of the Jennie-O location in their hometown. Jennie-O and the FBI had contributed a total of $50,000 for information about the teen's location.

"Here in Barron our Jennie-O family is dealing with a very tragic situation. While we are still mourning the loss of longtime family members Jim and Denise, we are so thankful for Jayme's brave escape and that she is back in Barron," Lykken said Wednesday. "The company has expressed its wishes to donate the $25,000 to Jayme. Our hope is that a trust fund can be used for Jayme's needs today and in the future."

He said the firm is working with law enforcement to donate its share of the reward fund.

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2019 file photo, a "Welcome Home, Jayme!" sign is shown in front of the Jennie-O Turkey Store in Barron, Wis., where her parents, James and Denise Closs, worked. Hormel Foods and Jennie-O say they'll donate the $25,000 it had offered in reward money for information leading to Jayme Closs directly to the 13-year-old girl. Jayme was kidnapped from her home in Barron, Wisconsin, on Oct. 15 and both of her parents were killed. . She escaped 88 days later. Twenty-one -year-old Jake Patterson is charged with kidnapping and homicide. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen)

FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2018, file photo, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald speaks during a news conference about 13-year-old Jayme Closs who has been missing since her parents were found dead in their home in Barron, Wis. Hormel Foods and Jennie-O say they'll donate the $25,000 it had offered in reward money for information leading to Jayme Closs directly to the 13-year-old girl. Jayme was kidnapped from her home in Barron, Wisconsin, on Oct. 15 and both of her parents were killed. . She escaped 88 days later. Twenty-one -year-old Jake Patterson is charged with kidnapping and homicide. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP, File)/Star Tribune via AP)

Jake Patterson, 21, of Gordon, was arrested and charged with kidnapping Jayme and killing her parents, officials said.

Patterson allegedly gunned down the young girl's parents at their home on Oct. 15 and fled with the girl in the trunk of his car before police arrived. Jayme said she managed to escape when Patterson left his home and ordered her to stay under a bed until he returned, according to a criminal complaint.

Officers with the Barron County Sheriff's Department referred to Jayme as "the hero in this case" on Wednesday.

"On behalf of the Barron County Sheriff's Department and all the law enforcement agencies that assisted in this case, we would like to thank Jennie-O for their support and assistance during this case," Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said in a statement. "We also agree that Jayme is the hero in this case and happy they have chosen her to receive the company's reward contribution."

"The partnerships created during this case will not only help Jayme and her family in the future but will continue to make us all stronger, led by the idea that we will never give up hope," he added.

Patterson allegedly confessed to investigators that he targeted Jayme after seeing her board her school bus; he didn't know her, but decided "that was the girl he was going to take," according to a criminal complaint.

He made his first appearance in court last week, but he did not enter a plea. Patterson's next court date is scheduled for Feb. 6.
ABC News' Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jayme Closs, 13, to receive $25,000 in reward money for rescuing herself

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Barron County Sheriff's Department refereed to Jayme as "the hero in this case"

# data[].attributes.body
Southwest has reported that the shutdown has cost the company between 10-15 million

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What we're covering today
What we're covering today

Markets check: US stock futures are moving in positive territory.

Davos day 3: CNN Business is on the ground at the World Economic Forum. Follow our live coverage here.

Earnings galore: Southwest Airlines (LUV), JetBlue (JBLU) and American Airlines (AAL) had strong reports before the bell. Starbucks (SBUX) and Intel (INTC) report in the afternoon.

51 min ago
Strong earnings send JetBlue shares up 3%

From CNN Business' Jordan Valinsky

JetBlue ( JBLU) investors are feeling far from blue: The stock is up nearly 3% following a strong fourth-quarter earnings report.

The New York-based carrier's earnings per share was $0.50 - considerably higher than the $0.32 per share it recorded for fourth-quarter of 2017. JetBlue also said its revenue on each seat sold also increased 2.4%.

"We expect to see margin expansion resulting from our network reallocation, ancillary revenue initiatives, improvements to our fleet and our progress in better controlling our costs," CEO Robin Hayes said in a release.

This year, JetBlue will roll out different fare classes, which other airlines have adopted. And it will make a decision on its first flights to Europe.

less than 1 min ago
Southwest says shutdown will cost it up to $15 million

From CNN Business' Jordan Valinsky

Southwest ( LUV) said in its earnings report that the government shutdown will cost the airline between $10 million to $15 million dollars.

The airline updated investors about its eagerly anticipated Hawaii service.

"Our remaining work is currently suspended until the government reopens and the FAA is allowed to resume normal certification activities," the company said in a statement. "We are anxious for the government to resolve this shutdown so we can bring low fares and a boost to Hawaii's travel and tourism industry."

Still, the airline had a strong fourth quarter and shares are up 2%

Earnings per share for the fourth-quarter came in at $1.17, nearly a dime more than analysts' expectations. Revenue rose 8.5% to $5.7 billion and the airline said it had "stable passenger demand."

Southwest expects the momentum to continue this year.

"Based on current revenue trends, our cost outlook, and energy futures, we are currently expecting a strong first quarter," the Dallas-based carrier stated in a release.

In other route news, Southwest said its cutting service to Mexico City on March 30.

1 hr 47 min ago
China blocks Bing

From CNN Business' Sherisse Pham

Microsoft's Bing search engine is blocked in China - for now.

"We've confirmed that Bing is currently inaccessible in China and are engaged to determine next steps," a Microsoft ( MSFT) spokesman said Thursday.

Bing appears to have joined a growing list of global internet platforms that are shut out of China's huge market, demonstrating that even tech companies that submit to Beijing's strict internet censorship regime can still run into trouble in the count

Google ( GOOGL) pulled out in 2010.

1 hr 46 min ago
Markets check before the bell

From CNN Business' Rishi Iyengar

US stock futures are slightly higher after strong earnings yesterday from several companies including IBM ( IBM), Comcast ( CMCSA) and Procter & Gamble ( PG).

The Dow closed up 0.7% on Wednesday, while the S&P 500 was up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq was up 0.1%.

Investors today will be keeping an eye on Southwest Airlines ( LUV), American Airlines ( AAL), Starbucks ( SBUX) and Intel ( INTC). They're expected to report earnings before and after the bell.

1 hr 54 min ago
Ghosn is out at Renault

From CNN Business' Daniel Shane

Carlos Ghosn has quit as chairman and CEO of Renault.

A spokeswoman for the French Finance Ministry said Thursday that Ghosn, who is still in jail in Tokyo, resigned on Wednesday night. The French state owns a 15% stake in Renault ( RNLSY).

Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo on November 19. He has been charged by Japanese prosecutors with financial misconduct while head of automaker Nissan ( NSANF).

Ghosn denies the charges.

What we're covering today

Markets check: US stock futures are moving in positive territory.

Davos day 3: CNN Business is on the ground at the World Economic Forum. Follow our live coverage here.

Earnings galore: Southwest Airlines (LUV), JetBlue (JBLU) and American Airlines (AAL) had strong reports before the bell. Starbucks (SBUX) and Intel (INTC) report in the afternoon.

51 min ago
Strong earnings send JetBlue shares up 3%

From CNN Business' Jordan Valinsky

JetBlue ( JBLU) investors are feeling far from blue: The stock is up nearly 3% following a strong fourth-quarter earnings report.

The New York-based carrier's earnings per share was $0.50 - considerably higher than the $0.32 per share it recorded for fourth-quarter of 2017. JetBlue also said its revenue on each seat sold also increased 2.4%.

"We expect to see margin expansion resulting from our network reallocation, ancillary revenue initiatives, improvements to our fleet and our progress in better controlling our costs," CEO Robin Hayes said in a release.

This year, JetBlue will roll out different fare classes, which other airlines have adopted. And it will make a decision on its first flights to Europe.

less than 1 min ago
Southwest says shutdown will cost it up to $15 million

From CNN Business' Jordan Valinsky

Southwest ( LUV) said in its earnings report that the government shutdown will cost the airline between $10 million to $15 million dollars.

The airline updated investors about its eagerly anticipated Hawaii service.

"Our remaining work is currently suspended until the government reopens and the FAA is allowed to resume normal certification activities," the company said in a statement. "We are anxious for the government to resolve this shutdown so we can bring low fares and a boost to Hawaii's travel and tourism industry."

Still, the airline had a strong fourth quarter and shares are up 2%

Earnings per share for the fourth-quarter came in at $1.17, nearly a dime more than analysts' expectations. Revenue rose 8.5% to $5.7 billion and the airline said it had "stable passenger demand."

Southwest expects the momentum to continue this year.

"Based on current revenue trends, our cost outlook, and energy futures, we are currently expecting a strong first quarter," the Dallas-based carrier stated in a release.

In other route news, Southwest said its cutting service to Mexico City on March 30.

1 hr 47 min ago
China blocks Bing

From CNN Business' Sherisse Pham

Microsoft's Bing search engine is blocked in China - for now.

"We've confirmed that Bing is currently inaccessible in China and are engaged to determine next steps," a Microsoft ( MSFT) spokesman said Thursday.

Bing appears to have joined a growing list of global internet platforms that are shut out of China's huge market, demonstrating that even tech companies that submit to Beijing's strict internet censorship regime can still run into trouble in the count

Google ( GOOGL) pulled out in 2010.

1 hr 46 min ago
Markets check before the bell

From CNN Business' Rishi Iyengar

US stock futures are slightly higher after strong earnings yesterday from several companies including IBM ( IBM), Comcast ( CMCSA) and Procter & Gamble ( PG).

The Dow closed up 0.7% on Wednesday, while the S&P 500 was up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq was up 0.1%.

Investors today will be keeping an eye on Southwest Airlines ( LUV), American Airlines ( AAL), Starbucks ( SBUX) and Intel ( INTC). They're expected to report earnings before and after the bell.

1 hr 54 min ago
Ghosn is out at Renault

From CNN Business' Daniel Shane

Carlos Ghosn has quit as chairman and CEO of Renault.

A spokeswoman for the French Finance Ministry said Thursday that Ghosn, who is still in jail in Tokyo, resigned on Wednesday night. The French state owns a 15% stake in Renault ( RNLSY).

Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo on November 19. He has been charged by Japanese prosecutors with financial misconduct while head of automaker Nissan ( NSANF).

Ghosn denies the charges.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What's moving markets today: Live updates

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What we're covering today What we're covering today Markets check: US stock futures are moving in positive territory. Davos day 3: CNN Business is on the ground at the World Economic Forum. Follow our live coverage here. Earnings galore: Southwest Airlines (LUV), JetBlue (JBLU) and American Airlines (AAL) had strong reports before the bell.

# data[].attributes.body
Virgin Galactic  to send tourists to the edge of space with the help of Under Armour who is designing the suits that the passengers and pilots will wear. They will use a rocket powered plane that can reach speeds of about Mach 30.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
under armour to design flight suits for virgin galactic - cnn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Under Armour to design flight suits for Virgin Galactic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Under Armour makes sporting equipment, workout clothes, sneakers - and now, astronaut apparel.

# data[].attributes.body
An Indiana school superintendent is facing fraud charges for allegedly using her son's name to seek medical treatment for a sick student.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
An Indiana school superintendent is facing fraud charges for allegedly using her son's name to seek medical treatment for a sick student.

Casey Smitherman, who heads the Elwood Community School Corporation, faces insurance fraud, insurance application fraud and identity deception. On Jan. 9, she allegedly took a 15-year-old student to a doctor after he didn't show up to school due to a sore throat, FOX affiliate WXIN-TV in Indianapolis reported.

"After making sure he had eaten, I could tell he had some of the symptoms of strep throat," Smitherman said in a Wednesday statement obtained by the station. "As a parent, I know how serious this illness can be if left untreated, and I took him to an emergency clinic."
VIRGINIA TEACHER REPORTEDLY FIRED FOR REFUSING TO USE PRONOUN FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENT
At the doctor's office, Smitherman allegedly signed the boy in and obtained a drug prescription for Amoxicillin for him under her son's name. The medical visit and medicine cost $233, according to court documents.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Police received a tip about the doctor's visit and followed up with Smitherman. She told investigators she was worried about the teen and in the past had brought him clothes and helped him clean his house, court documents said. In her statement, she said prosecutors agreed to have her attend a diversion program in lieu of jail time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Indiana superintendent charged with Fraud for allegedly using own insurance to help ill student

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An Indiana school superintendent is facing fraud charges for allegedly using her son's name to seek medical treatment for a sick student. Casey Smitherman, who heads the Elwood Community School Corporation, faces insurance fraud, insurance application fraud and identity deception. On Jan.

# data[].attributes.body
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg accidentally sent out 430 acceptance letters over the weekend. They said it was a result of a human error. They sent out a follow-up email to the students that said, "There was an error in the system. Please disregard the previous email." They have also worked on how they communicate with students so that it doesn't happen again.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg says that it mistakenly sent 430 acceptance emails to applicants over the weekend.

In a statement to ABC News, the school said that the emails were sent on Saturday and that they were a result of "human error."

"All of us work in higher education because we care about students, and we understand the confusion and distress a mistake like this can cause," the school's statement said. "As soon as we found out about the situation, we immediately reviewed our process for communicating with prospective students and have changed our procedures to prevent this from happening again."

WFTS

A copy of the email, which was obtained by ABC News said, "Once again congratulations on your admission to USFSP! We are excited to welcome you to the university and are very proud of all that you have accomplished so far! I also wanted to provide you with your next steps."

The email then goes on to provide instructions for students to find their university IDs, pay their admission deposit, apply for housing and more.

WFTS

Soon after the initial email, the school sent out a follow-up email to the students that said, "There was an error in the system. Please disregard the previous email."

USF St. Petersburg applicant Alexandria Rizzotto told ABC affiliate WFTS that she received the acceptance email in the middle of the day Saturday, only to receive the second email nearly an hour later.

"I was just so disappointed. I was very, very let down because I've been waiting for a final decision from them since November now," Rizzotto told WFTS.

WFTS

Rizzoto also told WFTS she still hoped to be accepted to the school in the future.

Carrie O'Brion, USF St. Petersburg's director of marketing and communications, told ABC News that 680 total emails were sent, of which 250 went to students that had been accepted.

"The remaining 430 received the acceptance email by mistake, either because their application was still under review, was incomplete or they were not selected for admission at this time," O'Brion said. "We're calling each student who received the acceptance mistakenly to update them on their status."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
University mistakenly emails 430 acceptance letters

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg says that it mistakenly sent 430 acceptance emails to applicants over the weekend. In a statement to ABC News, the school said that the emails were sent on Saturday and that they were a result of "human error."