A Virginia judge dismissed the criminal case against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal, who was charged in connection with a 2023 shooting at an elementary school involving a 6-year-old student. Although the criminal charges were dropped, a civil jury previously found Parker grossly negligent and awarded $10 million to the injured teacher.
Key Facts
Ebony Parker faced eight felony child abuse charges related to a 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School.
The shooting involved a 6-year-old student who fired at a teacher.
Prosecutors said Parker ignored staff concerns about the student having a gun.
Parker pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A judge dismissed the criminal case against Parker on May 21, 2026.
A civil trial found Parker grossly negligent and awarded $10 million to the injured teacher, Abby Zwerner.
The dismissal means the city cannot deny insurance coverage for the civil case based on criminal charges.
Abby Zwerner complied with subpoenas despite the emotional difficulty of the trial.
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NOAA has released its outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The forecast considers factors like El Niño, a climate pattern that can reduce the number of storms in the Atlantic, and officials will update predictions during the summer as conditions change.
Key Facts
The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30.
Storms get names when their winds reach 39 mph and become hurricanes at 74 mph.
Major hurricanes have wind speeds of at least 111 mph, categorized as Category 3 or higher.
NOAA updates its hurricane outlook multiple times each season.
The 2025 forecast predicted 13 to 19 named storms; 13 actually occurred, with five hurricanes, four of them major.
El Niño, expected to arrive by July 2026, usually reduces Atlantic hurricane activity.
The 2026 forecast from Colorado State University predicts 13 named storms, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
The World Meteorological Organization created a list of 21 names to use for 2026 storms.
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New Orleans prosecutors filed misdemeanor battery charges against actor Shia LaBeouf for allegedly hitting three men at a bar during Mardi Gras. They decided not to charge him with hate crimes, despite evidence of him using anti-gay slurs at the men.
Key Facts
Shia LaBeouf was arrested on February 17 in New Orleans for allegedly punching two men and headbutting a third.
The incident happened at the R Bar in the Marigny neighborhood around 12:45 a.m. on Mardi Gras.
The bar staff asked LaBeouf to leave after he became aggressive and used homophobic insults.
LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor battery but not hate crimes under state law.
One victim identifies as queer, another dresses in drag and recorded LaBeouf using a homophobic slur.
LaBeouf posted $105,000 bond and was told to enroll in substance abuse treatment.
LaBeouf previously made statements admitting fear of “big gay people” due to his traditional Catholic faith.
He has a history of run-ins with the law involving disorderly conduct and use of homophobic language.
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The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Alabama’s request to allow the execution of Joseph Clifton Smith, who was found to have borderline intellectual disability by lower courts. This decision leaves the lower court rulings protecting Smith in place, preventing his execution based on his mental capacity.
Key Facts
Joseph Clifton Smith was convicted of murder in 1997 and has spent about half his life on death row.
Lower courts ruled that Smith is intellectually disabled or has borderline intellectual disability.
The Supreme Court banned executing people with intellectual disabilities in 2002.
States must consider various evidence when IQ scores are close to the disability cutoff, which is around 70.
Smith’s IQ scores ranged from 72 to 78, slightly above the usual cutoff for intellectual disability.
At the time of the crime, Smith had very low academic skills, such as reading and math below grade level.
The Supreme Court dismissed Alabama’s appeal without a full ruling, leaving the lower court decisions intact.
The decision was made by a 5-4 vote, with the majority including three liberal justices and Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett.
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Hungary’s new government, led by Péter Magyar, has proposed a constitutional change to limit prime ministers to eight years in office. This rule would prevent Viktor Orbán, who has served 20 years as prime minister, from returning to power. The amendment also plans to remove a controversial government agency and reclaim control over public foundations previously influenced by Orbán’s party.
Key Facts
The new amendment limits prime ministers to a total of eight years in office, including interrupted terms.
Viktor Orbán has served five terms totaling 20 years, so the limit would bar him from serving again.
The amendment aims to restore democratic checks and the rule of law in Hungary.
It would allow the government to dissolve the sovereignty protection office, accused of spying without court approval.
The amendment seeks to take control of foundations that manage universities and think tanks, treating their assets as national property.
Péter Magyar’s government won a large majority in the recent election, making the amendment likely to pass.
The new government has also changed Hungary’s foreign policy, signaling less support for Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.
Magyar’s administration has started suspending state media broadcasts that supported Orbán and asked his appointees to resign.
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Aimee Bock, leader of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, was convicted in a $250 million fraud case in Minnesota. Prosecutors want her sentenced to 50 years in prison for her role in a scheme involving fake meal claims and kickbacks during the pandemic. The case helped trigger a federal immigration crackdown in the area, which caused protests and violence.
Key Facts
Aimee Bock founded and led Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit that claimed to provide meals to children.
Prosecutors say the organization was a cash pipeline for fraudulent claims and kickbacks.
Bock was convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery last year.
Prosecutors want a 50-year prison sentence for Bock; her lawyer argues for no more than 37 months.
The fraud case involves a network of fake partner groups and false reports of children fed.
Many convicted in the case are from Minnesota’s Somali community, most are U.S. citizens.
The case led President Trump to send many federal officers to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, sparking protests.
New charges were filed against Fahima Mahamud, accused of fraud involving payments at a child care center.
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SpaceX has shared details about its plan to sell shares to the public for the first time. If successful, the sale could value SpaceX at $1.75 trillion, making Elon Musk the first person to be worth one trillion dollars.
Key Facts
SpaceX plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO), which means selling company shares to the public.
The IPO could value SpaceX at $1.75 trillion.
This valuation could make Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire.
The filing revealed both the company’s financial results and its future goals in space exploration.
An IPO is often used by companies to raise money from investors by selling parts of the company.
SpaceX is a space company founded by Elon Musk, known for its work on rockets and space travel.
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Inflation is rising in the United States, and President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have dropped to a very low point. A recent survey shows that 46 percent of Americans are unhappy with how he is handling the economy.
Key Facts
Inflation rates are increasing in the United States.
Consumer spending has slowed down.
Many people feel worried about the economy.
President Donald Trump’s popularity is lower than ever.
46 percent of Americans dislike his economic policies.
The data comes from a recent opinion poll.
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin shared a detailed report examining why the party lost the 2024 presidential election. Although he did not fully agree with the report’s conclusions, he released it to be open and transparent about the party’s performance.
Key Facts
The DNC Chair is Ken Martin.
The report reviews reasons behind the DNC’s loss in the 2024 presidential election.
Martin initially said he would not release such a report.
He faced criticism for not sharing the report.
Martin eventually released the report despite not fully endorsing its findings.
The release aims to keep the party’s actions clear and transparent.
The report is often called an “autopsy report,” meaning an analysis of what went wrong.
The party lost the 2024 presidential race, where President Donald Trump was elected for a second term.
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A new case of Ebola has been found in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, far from where the outbreak started. The area is controlled by a rebel group, making it harder to contain the disease and provide medical help.
Key Facts
Ebola was confirmed in South Kivu province, DR Congo.
South Kivu is hundreds of kilometers from the original outbreak center.
The outbreak involves a rare strain of the Ebola virus.
The rebel alliance controls South Kivu province.
Armed violence in eastern DR Congo complicates outbreak response.
Difficulty accessing affected areas raises concern about spreading disease.
The Ebola outbreak started last week before this new case was found.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against four big cruise companies over trips they made to Havana, Cuba, between 2016 and 2019. The court confirmed a $440 million judgment against the cruise lines for using Havana's docks without proper permission.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision was 8 judges in favor and 1 against.
Four major cruise lines involved are Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.
The issue relates to cruises to Havana, Cuba, from 2016 to 2019.
The cruise companies had been trying to avoid paying $440 million.
The judgment is connected to the use of docks at the Port of Havana.
The ruling confirms the $400 million judgment but may allow some further legal discussions.
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New data from a Gallup poll shows that many young Americans are feeling negative about their chances of finding good jobs. The poll reveals that young people have concerns about job opportunities and the overall job market.
Key Facts
The Gallup poll focused on the views of young Americans about the job market.
Many young people reported feeling pessimistic about their job prospects.
The data suggests concerns about finding good or stable work.
The poll was reported by CBS News correspondent Jill Schlesinger.
The information was shared with sponsorship from AT&T Business.
The focus is on the current feelings of young Americans toward employment.
The news highlights a trend of worry among the younger generation about jobs.
The poll results may influence views on the economy and job policies.
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At least 42 U.S. military aircraft have been lost or damaged during the ongoing conflict with Iran. These include various types such as fighter jets, helicopters, and drones, as reported by the Congressional Research Service on May 13.
Key Facts
A total of 42 U.S. military aircraft have been lost or damaged in the Iran war.
The types of aircraft affected include fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
Among the damaged or lost planes are four F-15E fighter jets.
One F-35A fighter plane has also been lost or damaged.
An A-10 ground-attack aircraft is included in the losses.
Seven KC-135 tanker aircraft are counted among the damaged or lost.
The information comes from a report by the Congressional Research Service dated May 13.
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Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said he would be happy to talk with U.S. President Donald Trump. This phone call would be unusual because the U.S. has not officially spoken with Taiwan’s leader for over 40 years. China reacted negatively to the news.
Key Facts
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te expressed willingness to speak with President Donald Trump.
President Trump offered to have a phone call with President Lai.
The U.S. has avoided official contact with Taiwan’s leaders since the 1970s because of diplomatic protocol.
The planned call could break this long-standing diplomatic practice.
China strongly opposed the potential phone call between the U.S. and Taiwan.
The U.S. government is considering selling arms to Taiwan.
Taiwan is a democratic island that China claims as its territory.
The announcement happened in May 2026.
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The article discusses the growing importance of AI "inference," which means carrying out tasks using AI models, rather than just creating or training them. It highlights a startup named Antimatter that offers small, energy-efficient data centers inside containers to support this AI inference. It also mentions local opposition to new large data centers in Cape Town due to concerns about electricity, noise, pollution, and water use.
Key Facts
AI inference refers to the process where AI systems perform tasks after the models are trained.
Antimatter is a French startup providing mini data centers that use less energy and space.
These mini data centers are container-sized and come with specialized software.
Antimatter's solution costs less money and takes less time to deploy than traditional data centers.
Cape Town is seeing protests against new big data centers because of worries about power, noise, pollution, and water scarcity.
The article connects this trend to broader challenges in managing energy and resources for AI technology.
The piece also briefly references legal and business news involving AI companies and space-based data centers.
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President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are set to announce changes to previous rules on refrigerants used in grocery stores. These changes aim to reduce costs for American families and businesses by adjusting regulations on chemicals that affect the environment.
Key Facts
President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin will make an announcement about refrigerant rules.
The announcement will take place on Thursday morning.
The EPA plans to revise regulations set during President Biden’s administration.
The focus is on rules about super-pollutants used in grocery store refrigeration.
The goal is to save money for American families and businesses.
These rules involve technology and emissions linked to environmental protection.
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Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House has not clearly explained why it wants to build a large ballroom at the White House. The administration is asking Congress to provide up to $1 billion in a budget plan to help pay for the ballroom, but Cassidy and other Senate Republicans are confused about the purpose and details.
Key Facts
The White House plans to build a ballroom that is 90,000 square feet in size.
The project is part of a budget reconciliation package that could provide up to $1 billion.
Senate Republicans, including Senator Bill Cassidy, say the White House has not explained the plan well.
Cassidy expressed confusion about the project during discussions with Senate Republicans.
The ballroom is part of broader plans presented by the White House to Congress.
Cassidy recently lost his primary election.
The budget reconciliation package could include other items beyond the ballroom funding.
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) released a detailed report explaining why it lost many races in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The report looks at how the party spent billions of dollars and what changes might help it do better in future elections.
Key Facts
The DNC report is 192 pages long and was released by Chair Ken Martin.
The report examines the reasons behind the Democratic Party’s losses across the country in 2024.
It also reviews the party’s spending of billions of dollars during the election.
The report was completed in late 2025 but was kept private until May 2026.
Chair Ken Martin initially delayed the release to avoid distractions after some Democratic wins but later apologized for that decision.
The report includes discussion on what the Democratic Party should do to improve before the 2028 election.
The release of the report is seen as important for understanding the party’s future strategy.
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Jake Rosmarin, an American quarantined in Nebraska after evacuation from a ship with a hantavirus outbreak, shared how he spends his days and manages the isolation. The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius ship has caused several infections and deaths, but no U.S. passengers have tested positive so far.
Key Facts
Jake Rosmarin is quarantined at the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska after exposure to a hantavirus outbreak on the ship MV Hondius.
He follows a daily routine including temperature checks, exercising, and staying connected with family and friends.
Hantavirus usually spreads through contact with rodent droppings, but the Andes virus variant may spread between people in rare cases.
Eighteen Americans evacuated from the ship are currently being monitored at the Nebraska facility.
Two of the passengers at the Nebraska unit have quarantine orders through May 31, marking 21 days of monitoring.
Rosmarin plans to stay in quarantine for 42 days, the full recommended period to watch for symptoms.
No U.S. passengers have tested positive, but one Canadian passenger from the ship tested positive for the virus.
Rosmarin praised the kindness and support he has received from people in Nebraska during his quarantine.
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The Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, is temporarily transformed into a large cave as part of a public art project by the artist JR. The installation will be open to visitors for three weeks starting June 6, featuring a soundtrack created by a former member of Daft Punk.
Key Facts
Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris, built 419 years ago.
Parisian artist JR created a public art installation on the bridge.
The bridge is turned into a "monumental cave" as part of this project.
The installation was unveiled on May 21, 2026.
It will be open to the public for three weeks beginning June 6, 2026.
The sound for the installation comes from an ex-member of the music group Daft Punk.
The project is located in Paris, France.
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