Breaking News - Houston Stringer

Sixth Circuit denies coal company’s challenge to black lung benefits for Kentucky miner

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky, U.S.

Sixth Circuit denies coal company’s challenge to black lung benefits for Kentucky miner

CINCINNATI, OH – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has denied a petition from the Cumberland River Coal Company, which sought to overturn an award of federal black lung benefits granted to retired Kentucky coal miner Carlos Sturgill. Sturgill, a former underground miner with more than 25 years of experience, retired in 2007 after suffering a heart attack in the mines. He later underwent open-heart surgery and experienced chronic respiratory issues including shortness of breath, wheezing, and bronchitis. After his initial claim for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) was denied in 2016, Sturgill submitted new medical evidence in a 2018 claim that led to an award of benefits. The BLBA allows coal miners to collect benefits if they develop a respiratory d...

Sixth Circuit affirms 57-month sentence for Ohio felon found with gun and drugs months after release

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Ohio, U.S.

Sixth Circuit affirms 57-month sentence for Ohio felon found with gun and drugs months after release

CINCINNATI, OH – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has affirmed the conviction and 57-month sentence of Kalib Tucker, an Ohio man with a violent criminal history, who was found in possession of a firearm and narcotics just months after being released from prison. Tucker, previously convicted of several felony offenses including a 2014 gang-related shooting and a home invasion, was released from prison in January 2023. By September of that year, his parole officer discovered a photograph showing Tucker with a firearm in his pocket. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered a loaded Glock pistol, fentanyl pills, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, and a speed loader. Tucker, prohibited from possessing firearms as a felon, was arrested and charged under 18 U.S.C. §§ ...

Sixth Circuit: First Step Act does not allow murder sentences to be reduced unless part of drug-related sentencing package

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Michigan, U.S.

Sixth Circuit: First Step Act does not allow murder sentences to be reduced unless part of drug-related sentencing package

DETROIT, MI — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated and remanded four reduced sentences issued under the First Step Act, finding that district courts may not reduce sentences for non-covered offenses such as murder, unless they were part of a sentencing package tied to a covered offense like a crack cocaine conspiracy. Edward Dale, Gene Polk, John Gordon, and Gregory Brown, members of Detroit’s “Best Friends” gang, were convicted in the 1990s of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and multiple homicides tied to drug trafficking. Each originally received life sentences on both drug and murder charges, plus additional firearm sentences. In 2018, the First Step Act allowed courts to retroactively reduce sentences for certain drug crimes involving crack cocaine. The di...

Appeals court says South Carolina senior care provider waived right to arbitration in wrongful death suit

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Appeals court says South Carolina senior care provider waived right to arbitration in wrongful death suit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s decision denying a motion to compel arbitration filed by Claiborne Senior Living, LLC and TCABC Real Estate Holdings, LLC in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the estate of Gordon Jay Sarver. According to court records, Sarver, who suffered from dementia, was admitted to The Claiborne at Brickyard Crossing, a memory care facility in Summerville, South Carolina, in October 2022. Four months later, he died after walking away from the facility, falling, and striking his head. His wife, Cheryl Sarver, filed a lawsuit in May 2023 on behalf of his estate, alleging state-law claims related to his death. Before his admission, Cheryl Sarver signed a residency agreement and a binding arbitration agreement on he...

Fourth Circuit vacates one firearm conviction on double jeopardy grounds, upholds 20-year sentence for Virginia man

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Fourth Circuit vacates one firearm conviction on double jeopardy grounds, upholds 20-year sentence for Virginia man

RICHMOND, VA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has ruled that a Virginia man convicted of multiple federal firearms offenses must have one of his convictions vacated due to a violation of the Fifth Amendment’s Double Jeopardy Clause, but upheld the remainder of his conviction and sentence. Patrick Tate Adamiak was convicted by a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on five counts, including possession and transfer of a machinegun, receipt and possession of unregistered firearms, and unregistered destructive devices. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. In an unpublished opinion issued October 14, 2025, the Fourth Circuit held that Adamiak’s convictions on both Count One (possessing an unregistered firearm under 26 U.S.C....

Victorville man arrested for murder in Chino Hills domestic violence homicide

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Victorville man arrested for murder in Chino Hills domestic violence homicide

CHINO HILLS, CA – A Victorville man has been arrested for murder following the death of a Chino Hills woman in what investigators believe was a domestic violence-related incident. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to the 4000 block of Village Drive around 10:23 p.m. on October 8, 2025, for a medical aid call. They found 44-year-old Jillian Jones deceased inside her residence. She had suffered a fatal traumatic injury. The suspect, 62-year-old Vincent Ratliff of Victorville, was not at the scene when deputies arrived. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail determined that Jones and Ratliff had been in a romantic relationship. On October 9, 2025, Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division ...

Man arrested for homicide after woman found bleeding in Costa Mesa motel

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Man arrested for homicide after woman found bleeding in Costa Mesa motel

COSTA MESA, CA – The Costa Mesa Police Department has arrested a man on suspicion of homicide after a woman was found unresponsive and bleeding in a motel room on South Coast Drive. According to police, officers and Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue responded around 6 a.m. on October 13 to the 1500 block of South Coast Drive. They located a 32-year-old woman, identified as Yu Wang of Laguna Niguel, who was transported to a hospital and later pronounced deceased. At the scene, officers arrested Max Blumencranz, 31, of Costa Mesa for homicide. The nature of the relationship between the victim and the suspect remains under investigation. Detectives are continuing their work on the case and are withholding further information to protect the investigation’s integrity. The Costa Mesa ...

United to launch first mainline flight with Starlink Wi-Fi service

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

United to launch first mainline flight with Starlink Wi-Fi service

United Airlines will make history tomorrow at 8 a.m. Eastern Time when Flight 2940 departs from Newark/New York to Houston, marking the first time a major U.S. airline offers Starlink Wi-Fi on a mainline flight. File Photo (May 2025) According to United, more than 170 customers aboard the Boeing 737-800 will experience high-speed, low-latency internet through Starlink, with connectivity available on both personal devices and inflight entertainment screens. The same aircraft is scheduled to operate flights between Houston (IAH) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) later in the day, ending the evening in Houston. The airline expects to install Starlink on up to 15 mainline 737-800 planes each month, adding another aircraft type by the end of the year. Two Starlink antennas will be installe...

Three new mosquito pools test positive for West Nile virus in Dallas County

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Three new mosquito pools test positive for West Nile virus in Dallas County

DALLAS, TX – Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) confirmed that three new mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus. Photo Courtesy of DCHHS According to DCHHS, the positive samples were collected in Dallas (ZIP code 75232), Richardson (ZIP code 75080), and Sunnyvale (ZIP code 75182). Health officials continue to remind residents to use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, and eliminate standing water around homes to help reduce mosquito breeding.

Texas awards $278 million loan for 460 MW natural gas power plant in Freestone County

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Texas awards $278 million loan for 460 MW natural gas power plant in Freestone County

AUSTIN, TX – Governor Greg Abbott announced a new Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) loan agreement supporting construction of a 460 megawatt natural gas power plant in Fairfield, Texas. The facility, named the Pin Oak Creek Energy Center, will be built by Calpine Corporation and is scheduled to begin supplying power to the ERCOT grid before summer 2026. File Photo (September 2025) According to the Governor, the project represents the fourth TxEF loan agreement and continues the state’s efforts to expand grid reliability and affordability. “This 460 MW investment will further grow our power supply and keep prices affordable for homes and businesses in North Texas,” said Governor Abbott. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson stated that the TxEF has now backed nearly 1,800 MW of new generation statewi...