Author: CNN Newsource

By Jason Burger

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    NORMAN, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A University of Oklahoma graduate teaching assistant has been removed from her teaching duties following a student’s claim of religious discrimination after receiving a zero on an essay that referenced the Bible.

The university said that its investigation into Samantha Fulnecky’s claim concluded that the assistant was “arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper.” A statement from OU on Monday explained that the assistant’s prior grading standards and patterns were examined, along with her statements related to the matter, leading to her removal from instructional duties.

“I’ve gotten 100 on every single essay in this class, and I write them all the same—exactly the same. The TA has never had a problem with how I write my papers in this class,” Fulnecky, a junior at OU, said.

She also criticized the university for allowing professors who restrict free speech.

The graduate teaching assistant, who was placed on administrative leave after the complaint, directed KOCO to her attorney, who said, “She continues to deny that she engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student’s work, and is considering all of her legal remedies, including appealing this decision by the University.”

During a protest earlier this month, some individuals argued that the paper should have been written at a higher level.

“It’s not discrimination. It’s accountability. If you want the grades, you have to do the work,” Lucy, a protester, said.

Michael Givel, a professor of political science at OU, previously said he was concerned about the expedited nature of the investigation.

“It was highly expedited. Usually, these processes take several weeks before there’s a hearing, or if there is even a hearing,” Givel said.

Givel, who is with the American Association of University Professors at OU, said that the university has not provided specific reasons for the assistant’s removal, questioning the transparency of the process.

“They have claimed in the past in press releases that this was due to supposed and disturbing claims of ‘religious discrimination’ that clash with academic freedom. Is it now? Instead, they hide behind vague statements and essentially assertions of ‘trust us’. At this point, they need to show us and not tell us,” the AAUP said in a statement.

The AAUP has organized an online petition supporting the graduate assistant, advocating for academic freedom and due process.

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By Victoria Holley

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — The suspected “ringleader” of a fraud scheme involving an Omaha bank and more than two dozen suspects has changed her plea.

Rukyia Dean pleaded no contest to criminal conspiracy in Douglas County District Court Monday. A second-degree forgery count was dropped.

Earlier this year, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced Dean as one of 28 suspects in an alleged fraud check scheme. Investigators said the suspects stole more than $53,000 from accounts at First National Bank in Omaha.

DCSO alleged Dean recruited accomplices, who had a history of homelessness, with the promise of money. Dean’s sentencing is set for Feb. 24.

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By WLWT staff

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — A powerful message about winter weather driving is coming from a mom who lost her daughter in a freak accident more than a decade ago.

In early December, whiteout conditions in western Indiana led to a massive pileup.

WLWT spoke with retired Cincinnati police Officer Eric Franz, who said his son was trapped in that terrifying wreck. When his son called him, he said he recalled that 2013 tragedy.

“We all remember that one young lady got out of her car and the cable hit her and killed her, and I didn’t want to see anything like that happen to my son or anybody else,” Franz said.

Franz is referring to the 2013 I-275 pileup in Colerain Township that killed 12-year-old Sammy Reagan.

Sammy’s mother watched our recent story with Franz, and she wanted the chance to talk with him now that they’re forever connected.

On Monday, the two were hopping on an emotional video call, sharing words of gratitude.

Jill Reagan thanked Franz for continuing to spread Sammy’s story and raise awareness about the dangers of winter road conditions, and Franz thanked Reagan for sharing her daughter’s story so bravely.

Reagan said the day Sammy was killed, she and her babysitter got out of the car they were in to climb over the cable barrier, but a semi hit it, breaking a cable loose and killing Sammy.

Jill said she’s been sharing the advice “stay in your car, stay safe” since January 2013, when she lost her little girl.

Now, she’s thankful it helped save a life.

“I was really happy that she was remembered in such a trying moment for them,” Reagan said. “And I feel like because of her accident, somebody else was saved.”

Reagan said she wants others to think of Sammy and share her story this winter. The day she was killed, the whiteout hit in under 60 seconds.

It’s an important reminder to be prepared for any conditions this time of year.

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By KCCI staff

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    MORAVIA, Iowa (KCCI) — Appanoose County Sheriff Gary Anderson confirmed Tuesday afternoon that an 8-year-old boy who fell through the ice of a rural pond has died.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received a report of a possible drowning shortly after 3 p.m. Monday in the 27000 block of Highway J3T. The boy had been fishing at a pond near his family’s residence when he fell through the ice.

Authorities said the child had been fishing for approximately 45 minutes when his parents went to check on him and could not locate him. They then noticed a hole in the ice and called 911.

Emergency responders found the boy unresponsive in the water about 25 yards from the shoreline. Personnel from the Centerville Fire and Rescue Department used ice rescue suits to recover him approximately 42 minutes after the initial call before he was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in the Des Moines area.

The incident remains under investigation.

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By Rachael Lardani & Sarah Metts

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    LANCASTER COUNTY, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — A Lebanon County man faces multiple charges after a high-speed chase ended in a fiery crash in Lancaster County, hospitalizing two people.

Police identified the suspect as Joshua Quinones, 33, of Myerstown.

WGAL obtained court documents detailing what led up to the pursuit and wreck. The following took place on Saturday, Dec. 20, according to authorities.

Scene of fiery crash Timeline leading up to the chase Unknown caller (5:10 a.m.)

Police said a victim received a call from an unknown number and a six-second voicemail stating, “Meet me at the bridge.” The victim identified Quinones as the caller.

False report of a house fire (5:22 a.m.)

Court documents stated that Quinones called police to report a house fire with four people inside. Responding crews found no fire, and the incident was deemed a false report.

Suspect told 911 dispatchers he is ‘God’ (5:51 a.m.)

According to court documents, Quinones called Lancaster County-Wide Communications and said he was “God” and that an unidentified victim was “his queen.” Police said he stated he needed to speak with the victim before hanging up. Court records also indicated that Quinones previously pleaded guilty in 2021 to witness intimidation involving the victim and defiant trespass.

Robbery at Turkey Hill (6:35 a.m.)

Police said Quinones robbed the Turkey Hill on North Oak Street in Warwick Township after attempting to buy a nicotine vape using playing cards. After being refused, police said he threatened two employees by gesturing with his hands like guns. One employee gave him the vape, and he fled in a silver Ford Focus, according to officials.

Robbery at Sheetz (6:55 a.m.)

Police said Quinones robbed the Sheetz on Lititz Pike in Manheim Township after handing the clerk a note with his name and demanding money. Court documents stated the clerk gave Quinones $451 before he fled in the Ford Focus.

High-speed chase Shortly after the Sheetz robbery, police said an officer located Quinones’ vehicle near the intersection of Millport Road and Route 501 in Warwick Township. The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens, but Quinones fled, according to officials. The officer was then ordered to terminate the pursuit by his supervisor, the documents stated.

Police said Quinones then called Lancaster County-Wide Communications to report he was being pursued, allowing dispatchers to track his location. An officer later positioned a patrol vehicle on the double yellow line in an attempt to stop Quinones, according to officials. Police said Quinones accelerated toward the cruiser and swerved away just before impact. The officer said he feared Quinones was going to crash into him and braced for impact, according to the documents.

Pennsylvania State Police were called around 7 a.m. to assist as the pursuit continued along Route 322 at high speeds. “Speeds reached over 100 mph,” investigators said.

Quinones, while speeding from police, ran a red light and crashed into a green Ford F-150 at the intersection of Wood Corner Road and Route 322, according to the documents.

“The impact caused both vehicles to instantly ignite and burst into flames,” police said.

The Ford F-150 was occupied by a husband and wife, according to investigators.

The husband suffered life-threatening injuries, including a brain bleed, multiple broken bones and burns to his body, officials said.

The wife was also hospitalized with multiple broken bones, according to police.

An arrest warrant was issued, and Quinones was charged with the following:

Three counts of aggravated assault Assault of a law enforcement officer Stalking False alarm to an agency of public safety Two counts of robbery Two counts of theft by unlawful taking Two counts of terroristic threats Six counts of recklessly endangering another person Two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle Two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer Reckless driving Failure to stop at a red signal Driving at a safe speed

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By Tony Atkins

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    TITUSVILLE, Florida (WESH) — Newly released court documents are shedding more light on conversations between family members in the days following the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose body was found under a bed aboard a cruise ship last month.

Kepner was found dead Nov. 7. Records indicate she died of asphyxiation. Her death remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.

The documents were obtained through a child custody dispute involving Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntell Hudson Kepner, and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson.

The two share custody of a 16-year-old boy, who is Kepner’s stepbrother, who was also on the cruise. He is not being named because he is a minor.

According to the records, Shauntell Hudson Kepner messaged her ex-husband the day after Anna Kepner’s death, telling him she needed to speak with him immediately and describing the situation as an emergency.

Hudson responded by asking whether he could pick up one of their children to remove them from the situation.

Anna Kepner remembered at celebration of lifeAnna Kepner remembered at celebration of life The documents state that Shauntell Hudson Kepner declined but said they would eventually need to figure out how to tell their other two children.

Two days later, on Nov. 9, Shauntell Hudson Kepner texted Hudson again, saying she had spoken with their son for less than two minutes and that he repeatedly said he could not remember anything about what happened.

Hudson responded in part that he wanted his son to know he was still loved, regardless of the circumstances.

The court documents also indicate the 16-year-old is currently staying with another relative.

In a recorded statement included in the filings, Shauntell Hudson Kepner said he is not returning to the home at this time.

Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Anna Kepner’s death.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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By Kayli Pascal-Martinez

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    PAHOA, Hawaii (KITV) — A Puna man was charged following a standoff that occurred on Friday evening, December 19, 2025, at a home in Pahoa.

The standoff occurred at a home on Aama St. in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision in Pahoa. It was reported that 40-year-old George Dale Foote Jr. unlawfully entered a home at 5:40 p.m., with two women living in the unit.

Police said Foote was looking for his estranged spouse, who wasn’t there at the time of the incident. Once he was in the home, Foote reportedly threatened two women, a 61-year-old and a 91-year-old. He reportedly had multiple Molotov cocktails and threatened to burn down the home.

Both of the women managed to escape from the home, uninjured, and called the police. Puna patrol officers attempted to negotiate with Foote to have him exit the home but he refused.

Shortly before midnight Foote left the home and was arrested without incident. On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 20, Foote was charged with First Degree Terroristic Threatening, First Degree Unauthorized Entry into a Dwelling, and First Degree Burglary.

Foote’s bail was set at $220,000. Additionally, he was arrested and charged on the strength of two arrest warrants for the offense of violations of conditions of release on bail, recognizance, or supervised release, with a total bail of $45, 000.

Foote made his initial court appearance on Monday, Dec. 22, in Hilo District Court.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jenny Lee of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at 808-961-2279 or via email at Jenny.Lee@hawaiipolice.gov.

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