Oklahoma Supreme Court considers attorney general’s role in State Farm case, alleging payout scheme

By Olivia Hickey

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — The Oklahoma Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on whether Attorney General Gentner Drummond should intervene in a legal dispute between State Farm and Oklahoma homeowners over unresolved wind and hail damage claims.

“This was my house, my family. This was our most valuable asset that we invested in because we came to State Farm,” said Billy Hursh, the plaintiff in the case.

What is State Farm accused of? Drummond, who is also running for governor, said his office has received numerous complaints from Oklahomans about State Farm’s handling of claims.

“Many Oklahomans have complained in my office that something ain’t right with State Farm. They’ve got good and valid claims, good and valid in-place insurance, and yet they’re not being taken care of,” Drummond said.

Plaintiff Billy Hursh and his family are taking State Farm, their insurance carrier to court, over an allegedly unresolved roof claim case after wind and hail damage. Their petition claims it’s part of a bigger scheme to reduce payouts and full roof replacements.

“That wasn’t just done to us. It was done to thousands of people across Oklahoma and to the tune of who knows how many millions or maybe billions of dollars,” Hirsh said.

Controversy with AG Gentner Drummond handling the case Drummond, the state’s chief legal officer, said the investigation is broadening to other insurance carriers challenging Oklahomans.

“There are documents in State Farm’s possession that I want to see, and if those documents illustrate a purposeful scheme to increase the rates of Oklahomans and decrease the rates payable, then we have a problem,” Drummond said.

State Farm’s attorney argued that insurance oversight falls under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, not the attorney general, raising concerns about the separation of powers.

“The Oklahoma Insurance Department does not engage in private litigation matters and will not be involved in this case. Commissioner Mulready will not have a role in these proceedings and will not comment on the pending litigation,” said Liz Heigle, chief of communications for the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

Drummond said his involvement is about protecting Oklahomans who may not have the resources to challenge large insurance companies.

“You empower the attorney general to represent the people. This is the attorney general representing all the State Farm policyholders who cannot afford or hold access to an attorney. That’s why I’m here,” Drummond said.

Drummond said that if his motion to intervene is denied, he plans to file a separate legal action. But he said he has confidence in the courts.

“Special Justice Hubert hit the nail on the head when he said, if the insurance commissioner cannot enforce these laws and the attorney general cannot enforce these laws, then we have created this chasm through which foreign corporations can come in and injure Oklahomans with reckless disregard,” Drummond said.

State Farm releases full statement on allegations State Farm responded to the allegations in a statement, rejecting claims of wrongdoing and emphasizing its commitment to ethical practices.

“State Farm helps people, follows the law, and holds itself to the highest ethical standards. We strongly reject any allegations that suggest otherwise. Experiencing property damage can be devastating, and we work with our customers throughout their claim to help them recover. Our goal is to make sure customers get every applicable benefit their policy offers. Our Homeowner’s Policy is designed to provide some of the broadest coverage offered in the insurance industry. Over the past two years, State Farm has paid more than $1 billion to Oklahoma customers for wind and hail damage to their homes and property. With 300 local independent contractor agents and hundreds of their team members dedicated to serving Oklahoma, we’re committed to helping people recover,” the statement said.

The court’s decision on Drummond’s role in the case could have significant implications for how insurance disputes are handled in Oklahoma moving forward.

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3-year-old struck by Jeep on Volusia beach; driver faces DUI charge

By Kennedy Mason

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    DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (WESH) — A 3-year-old boy is recovering after being struck by a Jeep on a beach Saturday afternoon, according to authorities.

Deputies responded to the incident around 4:14 p.m. near the University Boulevard beach access parking lot. Witnesses said the child was running from the ocean across traffic lanes when he darted in front of a Jeep and was hit at low speed.

The child was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center as a trauma alert due to his age. He was later discharged with injuries that did not require surgery.

The driver, identified as 36-year-old Brock Winkler of Lakeland, remained at the scene during the crash investigation. Authorities determined the collision occurred after the child entered the traffic lane.

However, multiple witnesses reported that Winkler had been drinking prior to the crash. Investigators were provided a photo showing several empty beer cans left near where the vehicle had been parked.

Deputies initiated a DUI investigation and conducted field sobriety exercises. Authorities said they found probable cause to charge Winkler with DUI with serious bodily injury. He also faces an additional charge of refusal to submit to DUI testing after declining a breath test.

Winkler was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he remained in custody as of Sunday morning.

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Advocates demand answers as hundreds of graves collapse at a Milwaukee County cemetery after floods

By Gideon Verdin

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    WAUWATOSA, Wisconsin (WTMJ) — Hundreds of graves are sinking into the ground at the Milwaukee County Grounds Cemetery in Wauwatosa following recent flooding, according to Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, prompting advocates to demand answers from the county.

As Memorial Day approaches, concerns are growing over the worsening damage. From above, the cemetery looks like an open field, but on the ground, the damage is clear with uneven ground, overgrown grass, and dangerous holes.

“This whole area was under about 5 to 6 feet of river water and sewage, so with just a wooden coffin, we believe they’re all collapsing,” Judy Klimt Houston said.

Klimt Houston is with the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc. She said the cemetery holds thousands of people.

“Some of these have collapsed as much as 10 to 20 inches. Each row can be very treacherous,” Klimt Houston said.

“These are the folks that could not afford burials or were unclaimed at the time of death,” Klimt Houston said.

She said these individuals still deserve dignity.

“Everybody had a life, they had a story; they deserve to have their graves treated with dignity,” Klimt Houston said.

Her husband, Mark Houston, is a genealogical project administrator working alongside her. He said what is happening at the cemetery is hard to accept.

“It’s wrong what’s happened here. You wouldn’t want your grandparents treated the way they’ve been treated here,” Houston said.

The advocates said Milwaukee County has been made aware of the damage, but they are still waiting for action. A county representative told TMJ4 that they are looking into the issue.

“What is the county going to do? This is their responsibility,” Klimt Houston said.

With Memorial Day near, Klimt Houston said the timing makes the issue even more important.

“If we don’t care for our dead, who’s gonna care for us?” Klimt Houston said.

To learn more about the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, visit: descendantcommunity.org

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTMJ’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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A billboard in Des Moines is urging people to leave the MAGA movement

By Pepper Purpura

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — A new billboard along Southeast 14th Street in Des Moines is drawing attention and raising questions about its intent.

The sign, which went up over the weekend, encourages supporters of President Donald Trump to reconsider their involvement in the “Make America Great Again” movement. It directs viewers to a group called “Leaving MAGA,” a nonprofit that said it offers support to people who want to step away from the movement.

With its simple message and high-traffic placement, the billboard has quickly become part of a broader conversation: Is it political persuasion, or genuine outreach?

A message aimed at “doubters” The Des Moines sign is part of a recent wave of billboards that have appeared in multiple cities. Besides Des Moines, signs are paid for and posted in Austin, Texas, Spokane, Washington and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. More are planned in Idaho and Florida.

Rich Logis, founder of Leaving MAGA, said the goal is not to convince committed supporters to change their vote, but to reach people who may already be questioning their beliefs.

“We created our community as a new destination, a support space and a safe space, and an off-ramp for those who feel like they can no longer support the MAGA movement and support the president but needed a place to go,” Logis said.

Logis describes himself as a former Trump supporter who became deeply involved in the movement, but began reconsidering his views during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the organization now focuses on people who feel similarly, those who may be experiencing doubt but don’t know how to disengage from a political movement that has become part of their identity.

“We want them to know that we have been where they are and that it’s OK to be afraid, it’s normal to feel that way, and that it’s also OK to change one’s mind,” Logis said.

What “Leaving MAGA” offers According to Logis, the organization functions less like a political advocacy group and more like a support network.

The group hosts weekly online meetings for former MAGA supporters, as well as separate sessions for friends and family members navigating relationships with loved ones who remain in the movement. It also features personal stories and testimonials on its website from individuals describing their experiences leaving.

Logis said the group does not require members to adopt any specific political ideology or party affiliation. Instead, he frames the process as one of rejecting misinformation and rebuilding a sense of identity outside the movement.

That approach, he said, is intentional.

“We don’t want to be just another anti-Trump group,” Logis said in the interview. “We are very much a pro-truth and pro-human group.”

Cost, funding and early impact Logis said the Des Moines billboard cost about $4,000 and will remain up for at least four weeks. The effort, he says, was funded entirely through small-dollar donations.

As for impact, Logis points to early indicators like increased web traffic from the Des Moines area and direct outreach from individuals.

He says the group has already received a handful of messages from people who identify as current MAGA supporters but are seeking help in leaving.

Still, the scale of that response remains limited, especially compared to the visibility the billboard has generated online.

The challenge of changing political identity KCCI political analyst Dennis Goldford said efforts like this face a fundamental challenge: political identity is often deeply personal.

“MAGA, like many other political movements across the political spectrum, certainly has various policy views, but they create their own kind of community,” Goldford said.

That sense of community, he said, can make it difficult for individuals to step away, even if they begin to question their beliefs.

“It’s not just changing a political opinion,” Goldford said. “It’s stepping away from a group that may be tied to your identity, your relationships, and how you see yourself.”

Potential political ripple effects While Leaving MAGA describes itself as nonpartisan and says it does not endorse candidates, Goldford notes that efforts like this can still have political consequences.

“The big concern for Republicans is not that their supporters will vote for Democrats,” he said. “It’s that they won’t vote at all.”

In a state like Iowa, where Republicans hold a voter registration advantage and recent statewide elections have favored GOP candidates, even small shifts in turnout could matter in competitive races.

At the same time, Goldford cautions against overstating the impact.

He said it remains unclear whether billboard campaigns like this can meaningfully influence behavior, particularly among deeply committed supporters.

Republican response Iowa Republicans are dismissing the campaign outright.

In a statement, Iowa GOP spokesperson Jade Cichy said:

“This isn’t the first liberal billboard campaign to pop up in Iowa — and, like the others, it won’t make a difference. This is a state that voted for President Trump three times, most recently by a decisive 13-point margin. Iowa Republicans’ 200,000-strong voter registration advantage shows we’re aligned with the values Iowans hold, and no billboard is going to change that.”

A broader question For now, the Des Moines billboard remains one more message competing for attention along a busy roadway.

But it also reflects a broader question playing out nationally: how, and whether, people disengage from deeply rooted political movements.

For Logis, success is not measured in votes or polling shifts, but in whether people take the first step and reach out.

For critics and skeptics, the question remains whether that outreach is meaningful or simply another form of political messaging in an increasingly polarized landscape.

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Iowa lawmakers approve MAHA bill targeting SNAP limits, school nutrition rules

By Todd Magel

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — The Iowa Senate passed the Make America Healthy Again Act, introducing continued restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program purchases and measures aimed at improving health and nutrition.

Sen. Kara Warme, R-Ames, said, “The Iowa MAHA Bill aims to refocus our efforts to improve nutrition and physical activity with a focus on children starting young and building healthy habits.”

The bill includes several items, such as prohibiting families using SNAP food assistance from purchasing unhealthy items like soda and candy. It also prevents schools from serving food and drinks containing certain artificial dyes and additives, limits screen time for some students, requires more physical education, and allows Iowans to buy the controversial drug Ivermectin over the counter without a prescription.

Sen. Molly Donahue, D-Marion, criticized the legislation, saying, “This bill promotes use of Ivermectin and makes it harder for working families to access SNAP. It shifts burdens downward, reduces accountability. Ask Iowans to do more with less. Once again.”

Senate Democrats argued that the bill does not address food insecurity.

“If we truly want to make Iowans healthier, then we need to help them make better choices. And that needs to be based on nutrition, not on just taxable status of food items in the grocery store,” said Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines.

Despite opposition, Republicans outvoted Democrats to pass the bill.

“We are leading here because we care about kids in our state, and not everything that we do to improve health or education comes from throwing more money at it,” Warme said.

The Make America Healthy Again Act has already passed the Iowa House and now heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office. Reynolds proposed the legislation, making it likely she will sign it into law.

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Bodycam video shows officers rescuing 2-month-old after police pursuit, crash

By Daisy Kershaw

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    WALTON, Kentucky (WLWT) — New body camera video released on Monday shows the moments officers arrested a suspect and pulled a baby from a car after a police chase in Boone County.

The incident began on April 14 in Xenia, Ohio, approximately 70 miles north of Walton, and involved Brenton Howland, 20, who allegedly kidnapped the baby in the back seat of his vehicle.

Investigators said Howland made his way into Northern Kentucky and after multiple pursuits, he crashed his car into the side of a church.

The baby in the backseat of the car was unharmed, and Howland was taken into custody by officers at the scene.

Howland is facing charges in Kenton, Boone and Greene counties.

A sergeant with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office was treated for injuries at Saint Elizabeth Hospital and later released.

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Man arrested after allegedly breaking into home, getting into bed with child

By Matt Kirkle

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — A registered Omaha sex offender was arrested last Friday after court documents alleged he broke into a home, took off his clothes, and got into bed with a sleeping child.

According to an affidavit, this happened around 1 a.m. on Friday at an apartment complex near 13th and Leavenworth streets.

Officers believe Lavern Scott, 65, entered the home through an unlocked door, took off his clothes and entered a nine-year-old’s bedroom. That’s when it’s alleged that he got into bed with the child.

Court documents detail that the child tried screaming for help when Scott allegedly pinned the child to the bed.

By the time a family member entered the bedroom, Scott was apparently standing at the foot of the bed with a bottle of water and a bottle of lotion.

Scott was “escorted” out of the apartment by that family member.

Officers also allege that Scott entered an Airbnb at 14th and Leavenworth streets not long after. He was later found and arrested on the southwest corner of the intersection, wearing only socks.

Scott has previously been convicted in two separate sexual assault cases dating back to 1987. He has also been convicted and sentenced four separate times from 2017 to 2024 for violating the terms of his sex offender registration.

He made his first appearance in court on Monday afternoon, where a judge set his bond at $1.25 million. Scott’s preliminary hearing is set for June 1.

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Dozens of cancer cases in N.J. could be linked to contaminants at former landfill

By Christine Sloan

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    KEYPORT, New Jersey (WCBS) — A New Jersey town’s residents fear cancer cases in their neighborhood could be connected after state environmental officials say they found contaminants at a former landfill nearby.

While there has been no link or cancer cluster designation in Keyport, residents and other officials are demanding an investigation.

Dozens of cancer cases Keyport is known for its views of the Raritan Bay and hometown feel, but some residents say they’re on edge over dozens of cancer cases over the years in a neighborhood near the former Aeromarine landfill.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says the Aeromarine site closed in 1979 and that a 2010 study found contaminants above groundwater, including benzene, arsenic and PCBs.

Ginger Morris lives on First Street, where her sons created a map of cases. They marked an “X” on 28 homes where they say there has been a cancer diagnosis, including their own.

Morris’ husband is battling prostate cancer.

“We’ve been married 54 years … we have a lot going on,” she said.

The couple’s son uncovered a total of 40 cancer cases in the neighborhood, a statistic also stated by Congressman Frank Pallone, who is demanding an investigation.

“Immediate concern is to see if we can do some screening to determine if there’s a causal relationship between the cancers and the site, but then the site has to be remediated,” Pallone said.

Brian Hagman’s home is also marked with an “X.” His grandparents and aunt, who once lived there, all had cancer. Other relatives are suffering too, he says.

“Two of my uncles have cancer,” Hagman said. “It makes you wonder is it natural or is it because of the dumps?”

NJDEP looking at next steps NJDEP said it recently learned of health concerns, but that it is not aware of water supply contamination. The department said it’s committed to “the proper closure of the landfill to protect the environment and public health.”

Keyport Councilman Robert Bergen said the company that owns the land was fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for failing to properly close the landfill.

“The borough then again in 2021 took the landowner in court to try and compel the cleanup of the site and that case was dismissed, and the DEP was ordered at that time to clean it up,” Bergen said.

The DEP said it’s looking at next steps, which may include taking samples and sharing the information with the state Department of Health so it can track cases and assess any public health risks.

Keyport officials plan to hold a townwide meeting in the coming weeks.

CBS News New York was unable to reach site owners and we have not heard back from an attorney who represents them.

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New bodycam video shows police discovering locksmith shot and killed in Miami

By Nikiya Carrero

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    MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — The Miami-Dade State Attorney has released body camera footage showing the moments officers arrived at a deadly shooting involving a locksmith.

The video shows City of Miami police officers finding 37-year-old Adrian Venereo with a gunshot wound to the head and attempting to save him by performing CPR.

Authorities warn that the footage is difficult to watch.

Audio from the body camera captures officers rushing down a hallway.

“He has a gunshot in the head,” one officer says.

“Gunshot to the head?” another responds.

“Yo! Can you hear me?” a third officer is heard saying.

The body camera footage is from Feb. 20, when officers arrived to find the locksmith lying in a hallway after being shot in the head.

One officer is heard saying, “You want to render aid? Turn him around.”

Officers performed CPR for nearly two minutes until Miami Fire Rescue arrived, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

“No pulse. We’ve been doing CPR. It seems that he’s shot in the head,” an officer says. A fire rescue worker added, “No signs of life. So you guys should all know.”

According to police, Venereo had gone to an apartment building near Southwest 8th Street and 63rd Avenue after being called to help a resident gain access to an apartment. Detectives say the resident, later identified as Luis Lemus, had requested assistance.

Video from a Ring camera shows the locksmith following Lemus down a hallway while rolling his tool bag. Authorities allege Lemus then shot Venereo as he attempted to open the apartment door.

Police say Lemus was found later that day wearing the same clothes seen in the video and in possession of the gun believed to have been used in the shooting. The trial is scheduled for November.

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Masked gunmen rob 2 Boston banks; suspects arrested in Everett robbery not connected

By Neal Riley, Brandon Truitt

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Two armed bank robberies in Boston Tuesday morning are believed to be connected, police say. A third bank was robbed in nearby Everett Tuesday afternoon, but police say the suspects taken into custody there are not responsible for the robberies in Boston.

The armed robberies in Boston occurred at a Santander Bank on Washington Street in Roxbury at 10:11 a.m., and a TD Bank on the American Legion Highway in Roslindale at 11:56 a.m.

“Both of today’s robberies are very active investigations,” a Boston police spokesperson said in a statement to WBZ-TV. “Preliminary information gathered by detectives indicates both robberies involve the same suspects.”

In Roxbury, police said two men entered the bank and robbed tellers at gunpoint. Police described one robber as a light-skinned man, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with a medium build who was wearing a light blue Nike Tech hoodie, black pants, blue gloves and black face mask. The other robber was wearing a black Champion hoodie, with white lettering, black pants, blue gloves and a black face mask, police said.

In Roslindale, police said one of the robbers had the same black Champion hoodie, while the other wore a black hoodie with black pants, a black face mask, white and blue sneakers and blue gloves.

Radek Weirdeowski was inside the Roslindale bank at the time of the robbery. “I heard someone yelling behind me and two guys ran in,” Weirdeowski said. “One had a gun and started screaming that it was a robbery.”

He said it all happened so quickly. “While one guy was at the teller with the gun, the other guy was kind of rounding everyone else up,” he said. “And I thought we would all get robbed as well. But fortunately, they just took the bank’s money and took off.”

Police are looking for a blue Toyota RAV4 seen in both Boston robberies with license plate 4MXN78.

“Members of the public are advised to use caution, as a firearm was brandished during the incident,” Boston Police said.

Everett robbery arrests In Everett, just north of Boston, police made two arrests in another bank robbery Tuesday afternoon. The Eastern Bank at Broadway and Ferry Street was robbed at about 4:30 p.m., according to police.

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