Alex Murdaugh pleads not guilty — for now — to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Alex Murdaugh was arraigned Wednesday on federal money laundering and wire fraud charges for indictments saying he stole money from his clients, and although he pleaded not guilty for now, his lawyer said that might change soon. Murdaugh is already serving a...

Federal grand jury charges ex-GOP candidate with shootings on lawmakers' homes

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A failed political candidate has been indicted on federal charges including interference with the electoral process in connection with a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of state and local lawmakers in Albuquerque, according to a grand jury indictment that was...

‘That ‘70s Show’ star Danny Masterson found guilty of 2 rape counts, is led from court in handcuffs

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury found “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson guilty of two out of three counts of rape Wednesday in a Los Angeles retrial in which the Church of Scientology played a central role. The jury of seven women and five men reached the verdict after...

Man charged in 2020 shooting death of 11-year-old girl pleads guilty in deal with prosecutors

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A man charged in the 2020 shooting death of an 11-year-old girl riding in a car in Madison pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree reckless homicide in a deal with prosecutors. Jerrry Ward, who was 17 at the time of the shooting of Anisa Scott, originally was...

Beloved New York swan babies rescued after mother was eaten by family, police say

The village of Manlius in upstate New York is mourning the loss of Faye, a swan who was stolen from the town's pond over the weekend along with her four cygnets. The cygnets, or baby swans, were recovered, but officials say the mama swan was eaten. “The mother swan was consumed,”...

Florida mayor charged with voting in district where he no longer lived

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The mayor of a South Florida city was arrested on illegal voting charges Wednesday following months of accusations that he no longer lived in the city where he served. North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo was booked into the Miami-Dade jail on...

Jury finds ‘That ’70s Show’ star Danny Masterson guilty of 2 counts of rape in retrial where Scientology played key role

Texas governor appoints John Scott as interim attorney general after Paxton impeached

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday picked a longtime ally who oversaw Texas' elections in 2022 to temporarily serve as attorney general following Republican Ken Paxton's historic impeachment on allegations of misconduct and crimes. John Scott, who stepped down as...

Fast start to jury selection at trial of ex-deputy accused of failing to confront Parkland shooter

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Jury selection in the groundbreaking trial of a former sheriff's deputy charged with failing to confront the killer of 14 students and three staff members at a Florida high school five years ago got off to a speedy start Wednesday, with the preliminary round...

Justice Department should investigate beatings at Georgia jail, attorney says

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — An attorney for two men whose beatings by guards were recorded by security cameras at a county jail in Georgia called Wednesday for the U.S. Justice Department to investigate what he called a systemic pattern of sheriff's officers abusing detainees. “They are...