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Family of murdered Minnesota lawmakers remember them fondly as bright lights at the core of their lives.
Table of Contents
1. Sean “Diddy” Combs found guilty of sex trafficking
Prosecutors charged that Diddy ran an underground sexual prostitution ring where women were forced to engage in sexual acts for money, leading them to engage in acts themselves for payment. The court decision brought an end to a turbulent legal saga which had rocked his once affable image as “Puff Daddy”.
Diddy was found guilty on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, each carrying a maximum prison term of 10 years, but was cleared on charges related to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
Diddy remains in custody while awaiting sentencing at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. A judge denied his request for bail citing his history of violence and past illegal conduct, along with needing to show he won’t commit a similar offense in future. Diddy has been jailed since September when his arrest. This verdict was met with cheers from gallery as the jury sent their note directly to judge while rapper clapped when looking directly at them during sentencing hearings.
2. Michigan’s attorney general is investigating an online company that claims to help people find their eternal love
Michigan Department of Attorney General has sent cease and desist letters to four online sellers operating through Amazon platform. Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office found credible reports suggesting these sellers engage in price gouging which violates state laws.
Nessel issued a search warrant at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation headquarters in Lansing for purposes related to her investigation of Global Link International, an incubator nonprofit headed by Fay Beydoun which received millions in taxpayer grants.
Nessel warned Michigan consumers of an ongoing scam where fraudsters pose as representatives from Consumer Protection Division and threaten to suspend or close down credit and banking accounts. She praised passage of a bill that clarifies Attorney General authority to investigate illegal business practices beyond limitations imposed by prior Supreme Court decisions, expanding types of complaints that Michigan residents can file with her office and increasing investigative capabilities for investigating those practices.
3. A small plane crash killed two people
Police report two deaths following a small plane crash Saturday evening near Covington Municipal Airport near Washington. A four-seat Rockwell Commander took off around 11 pm but lost communication shortly thereafter before eventually crashing in woods north of its runway, police stated. Coroners identified both victims as James and Janet Hardee from Covington as potential victims in this accident.
National Transportation Safety Board officials confirmed that they will investigate this incident, with estimates suggesting the investigation may take up to 18 months.
Security footage provided to The Times shows a plane flying close to homes for several minutes before it crashes into one, collapsing its roof. Residents in both homes were able to escape with minor injuries; however, one couple’s dog has yet to be located. On Sunday afternoon, NTSB representatives will arrive on scene to remove debris while authorities have closed nearby streets.
4. A federal judge blocked President Trump’s plan to bar international students from attending Harvard University
Harvard University vows to defend its international students after the Trump administration attempted to restrict their enrollment. A federal judge temporarily blocked this attempt on Thursday, ruling Harvard would suffer immediate and irreparable harm before any court could review this matter.
Ivy League schools boast more than 6,800 foreign students – 27% of its student body – who account for 27% of enrollment at their universities. If this ban were permitted to remain, it would cause irreparable harm to recruitment efforts and diminish its reputation as one of the world’s premier educational establishments.
Harvard filed an objection Thursday against President Obama’s legal justification of the plan, which relies on an immigration law allowing him to restrict aliens deemed harmful to national interests. Harvard charged that both attempts by Homeland Security to restrict enrollment by revoking certification under Student and Exchange Visitor Program violate their First Amendment rights and should be overruled.
