California's legalization of marijuana has made illegal behavior worse, fed-up Sheriff warns

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently recognized National Crime Victims' Rights Week, but his commitment to crime victims faces criticism following the rejection of funding for Proposition 36, according to critics.

An L.A. judge denied the prosecutor’s attempt to cancel a resentencing petition, clearing the way for a potential release of Erik and Lyle Menendez. L.A. District Attorney Nathan Hochman accused the infamous brothers of telling numerous lies and questioned their self-defense claims.

Beloved former child star Hayley Mills, best known for classic feature films like Pollyanna, and The Parent Trap, continues to live a full life at 79. Hayley Mills was born on April 18, 1946, in Marylebone, United Kingdom, the the youngest daughter of renowned actor Sir John Mills (Great Expectations), and actor/playwright Mary Hayley Bell.

This story was originally published by InvestigateWest , a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to change-making investigative journalism. Sign up for their Watchdog Weekly newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Reach Whitney Bryen at 208-918-2458 or whitney@investigatewest.org. Reach Kaylee Tornay at 503-877-4108 or kaylee@investigatewest.org.

It's been over 50 years since the tragic demise of former child star Bobby Buntrock, best known as Harold Baxter on TV's beloved sitcom Hazel (NBC/CBS, 1961-1966). On April 7, 1974, Buntrock was in a fatal car accident on a bridge in Keystone, South Dakota. Like too many former child stars, before, during, and after his lifetime, Buntrock's life ended horrifically. This is his sad story.

UPDATE: As of April 27, 2025, four of the children previously listed below are no longer listed as missing. Dumorrgon Sullivan, Dorian Locke Vallinmaki, Ari Anderson, Antonia Thompson, and Hannah Geraci have been removed from the below listings.

It's been nearly forty years since the tragic death of actor/comedian Dick Shawn, whose stage, movie and TV career spanned over three decades. He died on April 17, 1987, during a live stage performance in front of approximately 500 people, mere seconds after delivering a punchline. At first, everyone thought his death was a joke. But it wasn't. He was gone, at only 57 years old.

HOUSTON, TX — After 16 years of serving Uptown shoppers, Gallery Furniture is closing its Post Oak Boulevard location in Houston, according to Furniture Today. The Texas-based chain, led by owner Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, cited increased crime near the Galleria Mall and disruptive construction of the Uptown Bus Rapid Transit line as key reasons for the closure.

The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has announced action by the its Special Prosecutions Unit resulted in a six-year sentence for a Campbell County lawyer who pleaded guilty to theft.

This article was originally published on DadisFIRE. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this. Some people are broke because they don't earn enough. Others stay broke because they keep spending like they’re trying to prove something. One choice at a time, they dig the hole deeper, and call it normal.

According to WRIC 8 News, the Richmond FBI has a warning for parents. It is against groups that are part of a violent network targeting children and manipulating them into recording themselves committing illegal and violent acts.

LAREDO, TX — Laredo has earned the unfortunate title of the least healthy city in Texas, ranking as the 18th most unhealthy city in America, according to a report by Quote.com.

The Bureau of Land Management’s contentious plans to remove all free-roaming horses from vast reaches of southwest Wyoming’s “checkerboard” region could begin as soon as this summer, although a legal appeal to stop roundups remains in limbo.

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, has recently introduced a small young dog named Vago who is searching for his forever family. When Vago was first discovered in August, he was in dire condition. As the rescue explains, he was found "all alone wandering the streets of Mexico, starving, matted and covered in fleas, ticks and infection." Despite these challenges, Vago's resilient spirit has shown through, and today he is described by the rescue as a “completely transformed dog," though still working on reaching his ideal weight. At 3-4 years old and 13.5 pounds, he's proven to be the perfect package of personality and affection.

LOS ANGELES, CA — In response to looming federal funding cuts, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), headquartered in Los Angeles, is launching a competitive emergency grant cycle to support HIV service providers across the U.S. The initiative aims to help programs serving transgender communities and at-risk women and youth maintain critical care.

CLEVELAND, OH / MARQUETTE, MI / DENVER, CO — A strong spring storm system is sweeping across the U.S., bringing a mix of snow, thunderstorms, and fire risks to multiple regions, according to the National Weather Service.

NEWARK — Joseph Schwartz, 65, of Suffern, New York, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he operated across the country, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom have officially launched statewide plans to commemorate California’s 175th year of statehood, highlighting the Golden State’s legacy of innovation, progress, and diversity. The celebration will culminate on September 9, 2025, marking 175 years since California joined the Union in 1850.

HARTFORD, CT — A new University of Connecticut study, commissioned by DailyPay, reveals the harmful impact of the state’s January 2024 decision to limit Earned Wage Access (EWA) services.

An analysis by the National Alliance to End Homelessness shows that as many as 9 million people could become homeless if the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ends rental assistance.

WASHINGTON — Millions of immigrants in the country without legal authorization are required as of Friday to register with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after a federal judge rejected advocacy groups’ request to pause the requirement.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — White Pony Express (WPE), based in Contra Costa County, is urgently seeking $350,000 in donations by May 31 to continue its life-saving food rescue operations. Due to recent federal funding cuts, WPE faces a one-third budget shortfall—threatening fresh food deliveries to over 100 nonprofits across the region.

As illegal crossings have dropped to 15-year lows along once-busy historic crossing points between Texas and Mexico along the Rio Grande, law enforcement officers are encountering large groups of illegal aliens in more remote areas of the Texas border.

SAN MATEO, CA — Rakuten’s latest study, conducted with The Harris Poll, highlights a growing gap between consumer expectations and retailer assumptions as shoppers face tightening budgets.

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced Cherry, a young, approximately one-year-old dog who has had a rough start to life and is now ready to find her forever home. Weighing in at only 12lbs, her journey began on the streets of rural Texas, where Cherry was discovered wandering alone while heavily pregnant. Fortunately, a compassionate foster parent stepped in, providing her with a safe haven to give birth and raise her puppies. "Now that her babies are growing and finding homes, it’s Cherry’s turn," explains Sandy Paws Rescue Inc.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — On September 20, 2025, Indian Motorcycle dealerships across the U.S. will host the second annual Folds of Honor Charity Ride, uniting riders to support families of fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders. Participants can register or donate via the IMRG National Charity webpage.

FREMONT, CA — Major changes are coming to Interstate 680 in Fremont starting Monday, April 7, as Caltrans begins a critical Bridge Deck Rehabilitation Project at the Mission San Jose (I-680/238) Separation, Caltrans announced.

WASHINGTON & IDAHO — As egg prices soar nationwide, more families are turning to a thrifty and creative alternative this Easter: dyeing potatoes. With egg costs topping $6.20 per dozen, compared to less than 90 cents per pound for potatoes (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), the humble spud is gaining festive appeal.

Other than those indigenous to this vast and blessed land, we are all immigrants here in the United States of America, with rights enshrined in the constitution, no matter our status. The frantic mass deportations pushed by the current administration have affected visa holders, asylum seekers, tourists, and legal citizens. Sweeping reforms have eliminated due process in a web of reinterpreting archaic laws like the Alien Enemies Act and have revoked Temporary Protection Statuses (TPS) , affecting hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

DENVER, CO — Frontier Airlines is making summer travel more affordable with ultra-low fares starting at just $39 and a free checked bag promotion for bookings made by April 7. Travelers can use the promo code FREEBAG to enjoy a free checked bag on flights between April 22 and August 18, 2025, on routes across Frontier’s expansive network, including over 90 U.S. destinations.