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Tag: NBC News

  • Son of Actor James Handy’s Girlfriend Charged With Murder in Fatal Los Angeles Stabbing

    Son of Actor James Handy’s Girlfriend Charged With Murder in Fatal Los Angeles Stabbing

    The son of actor James Handy’s girlfriend has been charged with murder following the veteran actor’s fatal stabbing at a Los Angeles home, authorities announced Friday.

    According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, 44-year-old Michael Gledhill faces one count of murder along with a special allegation that he used a deadly weapon in the killing. If convicted, Gledhill could face up to 26 years in state prison.

    Handy, 81, a respected character actor known for numerous television and film appearances, including his role as bartender Jimmy in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, was found suffering from stab wounds outside a home in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. He later died from his injuries.

    District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned the violence in a statement, saying, “This is not how anyone’s life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home.”

    Investigators identified Michael Gledhill as the suspect. Police said they responded to the residence after receiving a 911 call in which the caller reportedly stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

    Upon arrival, officers said Gledhill approached them and admitted he was the person they were seeking. He was taken into custody at the scene.

    Court records indicate that Gledhill appeared in court Friday for arraignment proceedings. An unnamed deputy public defender was listed as representing him, though court documents did not specify a plea. Defendants commonly enter not guilty pleas during arraignment hearings.

    As of Friday afternoon, Gledhill remained in custody with bail set at $2 million, according to jail records.

    The suspect’s mother, Wendy Gledhill, who was reportedly in a relationship with Handy, expressed grief over the tragedy in a statement released Friday.

    “I loved James, this should have never happened to him. I’m sorry to his family and his friends,” she said.

    Handy enjoyed a decades-long acting career spanning television and film, earning recognition for his work in productions ranging from dramas and comedies to major Hollywood blockbusters. His death has shocked colleagues and fans across the entertainment industry.

  • Bomb Threat at California Chase Bank Triggers Evacuations and Major Police

    Bomb Threat at California Chase Bank Triggers Evacuations and Major Police

    A reported bomb threat at a Chase Bank branch in downtown Bakersfield, California, prompted authorities to evacuate the surrounding area Tuesday afternoon as law enforcement agencies responded to what officials described as an active and developing situation.

    The incident unfolded shortly after 1 p.m. local time at a Chase Bank location on the 1500 block of 17th Street, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

    Police Sgt. Eric Celedon said officers were dispatched after receiving reports of a threat at the bank. Authorities later indicated that an unidentified man had entered the branch and was barricaded inside with an unknown number of people.

    “There’s a very active scene,” Celedon said in a video message posted by the police department. “If you’re in the area, please leave.”

    Law enforcement officials quickly established a security perimeter around the area and ordered evacuations near the city’s civic center as officers worked to assess the situation.

    Federal authorities also became involved. The San Francisco Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that agency resources were being deployed to Bakersfield to assist local law enforcement.

    The Bakersfield Police Department urged residents and visitors to avoid the downtown area while emergency personnel conducted operations.

    A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase & Co. said the company’s primary concern was the safety of employees, customers, and everyone involved. The bank stated it was cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities as the investigation continued.

    Officials had not immediately released additional information regarding the nature of the threat, the identity of the suspect, or whether any injuries had been reported.

    Bakersfield, located approximately 113 miles north of Los Angeles in California’s San Joaquin Valley, is home to more than 420,000 residents and serves as a major center for agriculture and energy production.

    Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and additional details are expected as the situation develops.

  • Mike Pence Says Trump Administration Has Strayed From Traditional Conservative Principles

    Mike Pence Says Trump Administration Has Strayed From Traditional Conservative Principles

    Former Vice President Mike Pence has criticized the second administration of President Donald Trump, arguing that it has moved away from the conservative values that have long defined the Republican Party.

    Speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Pence said the administration has “departed” from the agenda that guided Republicans for decades, citing principles such as limited government, free-market economics, American leadership, and pro-life policies.

    Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president from 2017 to 2021, acknowledged that Trump has supported some conservative priorities over the years. However, he expressed concern that the administration’s current direction differs from the traditional platform championed by Republicans since the era of Ronald Reagan.

    Despite those concerns, Pence recognized Trump’s continued popularity within the Republican Party.

    “I don’t think there’s any question about the president’s popularity,” Pence said, crediting Trump for maintaining a strong connection with Republican voters.

    The former vice president argued that most Republican voters still embrace longstanding conservative ideals, including personal freedom, limited government, and traditional values. He predicted that candidates who emphasize those principles in upcoming elections, including the 2028 presidential race, would attract broad support from GOP voters.

    Pence was especially critical of the Justice Department’s proposed “anti-weaponization fund,” which could distribute nearly $1.8 billion to individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by the federal government. A federal judge recently issued a temporary block on the program.

    Calling the initiative a mistake, Pence urged the administration to abandon the proposal altogether.

    He said the possibility that individuals convicted for their actions during the January 6 United States Capitol attack could receive compensation was “deeply offensive.” Trump previously pardoned approximately 1,500 people charged in connection with the Capitol riot after returning to office.

    Pence, who was overseeing the certification of the 2020 presidential election results when the riot occurred and was evacuated from the Capitol during the violence, said he believes opposition to the fund extends beyond political lines.

    According to Pence, many Republicans and Americans would object to taxpayer money being used to compensate individuals who assaulted law enforcement officers or damaged government property during the attack.

    The remarks underscore continuing divisions within the Republican Party over Trump’s leadership and the future direction of conservative politics in the United States.

  • Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara Resigns Amid Investigation Into Alleged Misconduct Interference

    Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara Resigns Amid Investigation Into Alleged Misconduct Interference

    Brian O’Hara has resigned as police chief of Minneapolis after an investigation found he interfered with an inquiry into allegations involving his conduct, city officials confirmed.

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Tuesday that he accepted O’Hara’s resignation following findings that the police chief breached trust during an internal investigation process.

    “This is not about being intolerant of mistakes; everyone makes mistakes, including me, but what I can’t allow is a breach of trust,” Frey said during a news conference. “When you serve as chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, trust is not secondary to the job, it is the job.”

    O’Hara, who became Minneapolis police chief after the 2020 death of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests and police reform efforts, had initially been investigated over anonymous allegations claiming he engaged in sexual relationships with city employees.

    According to officials, an outside investigation concluded months ago and determined that the allegations themselves were unsubstantiated. However, a separate inquiry later found that O’Hara interfered with the investigative process.

    An investigative report obtained by NBC News alleged that O’Hara intentionally deleted a contact card from his city-issued cellphone in an effort to conceal evidence linking him to one of the employees involved in the investigation. Investigators reportedly found the contact card present on May 1, 2025, before it disappeared days later without any technical explanation.

    The report also stated that O’Hara discussed details of the investigation despite direct instructions not to do so. Investigators said he informed another employee that his phone had been seized as part of the probe.

    Mayor Frey said the interference did not change the outcome of the original investigation but still represented serious misconduct and a significant breach of public trust. The mayor revealed that disciplinary action, including possible termination, was being prepared before O’Hara chose to step down.

    In a formal letter, Frey said O’Hara would receive a written reprimand for what was described as “serious misconduct.”

    City officials also confirmed there are currently 17 additional open complaints involving O’Hara, though authorities declined to provide further details about those cases.

    Todd Barnette thanked O’Hara for his service, noting that he played a key role in advancing police reform initiatives and rebuilding staffing levels within the department during a challenging period for the city.

    Meanwhile, Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell has been appointed acting police chief effective immediately.

  • Students Praised for Bravery During Deadly Shooting at San Diego Mosque

    Students Praised for Bravery During Deadly Shooting at San Diego Mosque

    Students at the Islamic Center of San Diego are being praised for remaining calm and following active shooter training during a deadly attack that left three people dead outside the mosque.

    According to NBC News, the attack happened Monday when two armed teenagers entered the mosque grounds and opened fire. Inside the building, dozens of children attending classes quickly followed lockdown procedures they had practiced during active shooter drills.

    Imani, a teacher’s assistant for second and third graders, said the children reacted immediately after hearing gunfire.

    “We told the kids this is not a shooting drill,” she said. “There is an active shooter, and let’s go.”

    The students reportedly moved into a protected corner of the classroom, stayed low, locked doors and remained silent even as the gunmen allegedly banged on doors and attempted to enter rooms.

    Authorities said no one inside the mosque was injured during the attack.

    San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said security guard Amin Abdullah confronted the shooters and activated the mosque’s lockdown system before being killed in a gunfight. Officials credited his actions with preventing the attackers from reaching areas where approximately 140 children were sheltering.

    Two other victims, identified as Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were fatally shot in the parking lot outside the mosque.

    Police identified the suspects as Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17. Authorities believe the pair later died by suicide after fleeing the scene.

    Investigators are reviewing a lengthy document allegedly linked to the suspects that reportedly contained anti-Islamic, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, along with references to white supremacist extremist ideology.

    Community members gathered Tuesday for a vigil honoring the victims and recognizing the bravery of those who helped save lives during the attack.

  • Georgia GOP Governor Race Heads to Runoff as Burt Jones and Rick Jackson Battle for Trump’s MAGA Base

    Georgia GOP Governor Race Heads to Runoff as Burt Jones and Rick Jackson Battle for Trump’s MAGA Base

    Georgia’s Republican race for governor is heading to a high-stakes runoff after Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson emerged as the top two candidates in the crowded GOP primary, according to NBC News projections.

    The June 16 runoff is expected to become a fierce battle for the support of President Donald Trump and Georgia’s MAGA voters, with both candidates aggressively positioning themselves as the strongest America First conservative in the race.

    Jones, who currently serves as Georgia’s lieutenant governor, secured Trump’s official endorsement shortly after launching his campaign. Throughout the primary season, Jones repeatedly highlighted Trump’s backing in television advertisements and campaign appearances.

    Jackson, however, dramatically reshaped the race after entering earlier this year and spending an estimated $80 million of his personal fortune on campaign advertising, according to AdImpact. The massive ad blitz flooded Georgia television markets and quickly made Jackson one of the most visible candidates in the state.

    In many of his campaign ads, Jackson portrayed himself as a political outsider in the mold of Trump, emphasizing his business background and anti-establishment message.

    “Like President Trump, I don’t owe anybody anything, and like you, I’m sick of career politicians,” Jackson declared in one campaign advertisement. In another, he described himself as a “straight-talking, Trump-supporting self-made outsider.”

    With 29% of the expected vote counted Tuesday night, Jones held 36.7% while Jackson followed closely with 34.5%, preventing either candidate from crossing the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff.

    The Republican primary field also included Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, both of whom faced criticism from Trump supporters over their roles following the 2020 presidential election.

    Trump’s influence remained central throughout the race. During a recent tele-rally, the president reaffirmed his endorsement of Jones and dismissed speculation that Jackson’s heavy advertising campaign could sway him.

    “There’s a lot of confusion. Everyone’s saying I endorsed them. I didn’t. I endorsed a man named Burt Jones,” Trump told supporters during the event.

    The 2020 election controversy also continued to shape voter sentiment in Georgia’s Republican base. Jones was among the alternate electors who cast votes for Trump after the state officially certified Joe Biden as the winner in Georgia.

    Meanwhile, Raffensperger drew national attention after refusing Trump’s request to “find” additional votes during the aftermath of the election, while Carr repeatedly stated there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the state.

    The winner of the June 16 Republican runoff will advance to face the Democratic nominee in the November gubernatorial election.

  • 3 Killed in San Diego Mosque Shooting as Police Investigate Possible Hate Crime

    3 Killed in San Diego Mosque Shooting as Police Investigate Possible Hate Crime

    Three adult men were killed in a deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, triggering a massive law enforcement response and raising concerns over a possible hate-motivated attack.

    San Diego police confirmed that two suspects, believed to be 17 and 19 years old, were also found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds shortly after the shooting unfolded in the Clairemont neighborhood, located about eight miles north of downtown San Diego.

    Authorities said officers responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 11:43 a.m. and discovered the three victims outside the mosque. Around the same time, emergency calls reported additional gunfire just blocks away from the Islamic center.

    Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators believe the suspects later turned the weapons on themselves inside a vehicle found nearby. Officials noted that no officers are believed to have fired their weapons during the incident.

    One of the victims was identified as a mosque security guard who police say played a critical role in helping prevent further casualties during the attack. Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the shooting and are currently treating the case as a possible hate crime.

    An imam from the Islamic Center of San Diego confirmed that all teachers, students, and staff members at the mosque’s school were safely accounted for following the violence.

    The tragic incident prompted heightened security measures across Southern California. The Los Angeles Police Department announced increased patrols around mosques, Islamic centers, and other places of worship across the city, despite officials stating there is no known threat to Los Angeles at this time.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the attack, describing herself as “outraged and heartbroken,” especially as the violence occurred on the first day of Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar.

    Residents in the Clairemont community expressed shock over the tragedy. Neighbors described the area as peaceful and community-oriented, making the attack even more devastating for local families and worshippers.

    The investigation remains ongoing as federal and local authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.

  • Severe Spring Weather Sweeps Across U.S. With Tornadoes, Snow, Heat and Wildfire Risks

    Severe Spring Weather Sweeps Across U.S. With Tornadoes, Snow, Heat and Wildfire Risks

    Extreme spring weather is impacting nearly every corner of the United States this week, with tornado outbreaks in the Midwest, snowstorms in the Rockies, dangerous wildfire conditions in the Plains and record-breaking heat across the Northeast.

    More than 230 severe weather reports were recorded Sunday alone, including at least 25 tornado reports across Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota.

    Communities in Nebraska were among the hardest hit. Tornadoes damaged homes and scattered debris across several towns, including Saint Libory and areas near St. Paul.

    Severe thunderstorms also swept through Omaha before moving toward Kansas City.

    Forecasters warned Monday that nearly 49 million people remain at risk for severe weather stretching from north Texas to northern Michigan.

    A moderate tornado risk is in effect for parts of Kansas and southeastern Nebraska, where meteorologists say strong tornadoes, baseball-sized hail and wind gusts exceeding 75 mph are possible.

    Cities facing the greatest tornado threat include Wichita, Topeka, Salina, Manhattan and Hutchinson in Kansas.

    Tornado watches have also been issued for Kansas City, Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines and Oklahoma City.

    Flood watches cover approximately 5 million people across eastern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska and much of Missouri, where rainfall rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour, with isolated totals of 5 to 7 inches possible.

    Meanwhile, winter weather is striking parts of the Rocky Mountains.

    Winter storm alerts are active across much of Wyoming, northeastern Utah and the Colorado Rockies, while hail and freezing temperatures have impacted areas outside Denver.

    At the same time, dangerous heat is building in the eastern United States.

    Temperatures from the Ohio Valley through the Northeast are expected to run 10 to 25 degrees above seasonal averages through Wednesday.

    Cities including New York City, Washington, Pittsburgh, Hartford, Syracuse and Nashville are all at risk of setting new temperature records this week.

    Forecasters expect parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington and New York City to reach the mid-90s before thunderstorms arrive later in the week.

    The National Weather Service warned that New York City could experience its first 90-degree temperatures of the year roughly 10 days earlier than normal.

    Wildfire dangers are also intensifying across the southern Plains and California.

    Red flag warnings are currently in place for about 11 million people, particularly across the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles and southwest Kansas, where dry air and strong winds could allow fires to spread rapidly.

    Meteorologists warned that shifting winds later Monday could suddenly change the direction of active fires, creating life-threatening conditions.

  • Trump Drops $10 Billion Lawsuit Against IRS Over Leaked Tax Returns

    Trump Drops $10 Billion Lawsuit Against IRS Over Leaked Tax Returns

    Donald Trump is voluntarily dismissing his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax records, according to a court filing submitted Monday.

    The lawsuit, originally filed in January, also included plaintiffs Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and the Trump Organization.

    The legal action accused the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department of failing to prevent a former IRS employee from unlawfully disclosing the family’s confidential tax returns.

    The move to dismiss the case comes after the judge overseeing the matter questioned whether the lawsuit still presented a legitimate legal dispute, especially given Trump’s current control over the Justice Department as president.

    In Monday’s filing, attorneys representing Trump argued that the court no longer needed to intervene because the plaintiffs had chosen to voluntarily withdraw the case before the administration filed any formal response.

    Neither Trump’s legal team nor the Justice Department immediately commented on the decision.

    The lawsuit had sought billions in damages connected to the release of tax information that became public during years of political and legal battles surrounding Trump’s finances and tax filings.

  • Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Booed During University Graduation Speech Over AI Remarks

    Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Booed During University Graduation Speech Over AI Remarks

    Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced repeated boos during a commencement speech at the University of Arizona after comparing the rise of artificial intelligence to the technological revolution sparked by computers.

    Speaking to graduates on Sunday, Schmidt reflected on his own student years and the rapid evolution of technology, beginning with the personal computer, which Time magazine famously named “Person of the Year” in 1982.

    He described how computers evolved into laptops and smartphones, transforming communication through the internet and social media.

    While praising technology for helping connect people, democratize knowledge, and reduce poverty, Schmidt also acknowledged its negative effects on society.

    “The same platforms that gave everyone a voice also degraded the public square,” Schmidt told the audience. “They rewarded outrage. They amplified our worst instincts.”

    The atmosphere shifted sharply when Schmidt began discussing artificial intelligence and compared its emergence to the transformative impact of computers. Many graduates responded with loud boos and jeers.

    “I know what many of you are feeling about that. I can hear you,” Schmidt said as the crowd reacted. He acknowledged fears among younger generations that artificial intelligence could eliminate jobs, worsen inequality, intensify political division, and deepen uncertainty about the future.

    “There is a fear in your generation that the future has already been written, that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating, that the climate is breaking, that politics is fractured, and that you are inheriting a mess that you did not create,” he said.

    Schmidt argued that the future of AI is not predetermined and insisted that the graduating class still has the ability to influence how the technology develops and is used.

    His calls for open debate, diversity of perspectives, and support for immigration also drew mixed reactions from the audience.

    “If you’d let me make this point, please,” Schmidt said while attempting to continue his remarks amid ongoing boos. He stressed that America benefits when ambitious immigrants come to the country and contribute to innovation and progress.

    Schmidt concluded his speech by encouraging graduates to shape the future rather than fear it.

    “The future is not yet finished. It is now your turn to shape it,” he said.

    A spokesperson for the University of Arizona defended the decision to invite Schmidt, citing his leadership in technology, philanthropy, and scientific research.

    The incident reflects growing public anxiety over artificial intelligence, particularly among younger people concerned about automation, employment, and the broader social consequences of rapidly advancing technology.

    Schmidt’s experience was not isolated. Earlier this month, another commencement speaker at the University of Central Florida was also booed after describing artificial intelligence as “the next industrial revolution.”