December 2021

Six years and counting: Ex-treasure hunter still stuck in jail

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A former deep-sea treasure hunter is preparing to mark his sixth year in jail for refusing to disclose the whereabouts of 500 missing coins made from gold found in an historic shipwreck.

Research scientist Tommy Thompson has been held in contempt of court since Dec. 15, 2015, for that refusal. He is also incurring a daily fine of $1,000.

Justice Dept. still probing civil rights era police killings

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Justice Department’s decision to close its investigation of Emmett Till’s slaying all but ended the possibility of new charges in the teen’s death 66 years ago, yet agents are still probing as many as 20 other civil rights cold cases, including the police killings of 13 Black men in three Southern states decades ago.

Three juveniles recaptured after escape from youth facility

BRIDGE CITY (AP) — Three juveniles have been apprehended after escaping from a Louisiana youth facility last month, authorities said.

The three had escaped from the Bridge City Center for Youth on Nov. 21, according to the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice.

All three were captured Tuesday in difference parts of the state: a 16-year-old was apprehended in Jefferson Parish; a 14-year-old in St. Bernard Parish; and an 18-yearold in Livingston Parish.

US jobless claims at 52-year low amid seasonal volatility

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level in 52 years, more evidence that the U.S. job market is recovering from last year’s coronavirus recession.

Unemployment claims dropped by 43,000 to 184,000 last week, the lowest since September 1969, the Labor Department said Thursday. The four-week moving average, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, fell below 219,000, lowest since the pandemic hit the United States hard in March 2020.

Biden sounds alarm about global democracy at virtual summit

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday opened the first White House Summit for Democracy by sounding an alarm about a global slide for democratic institutions and called for world leaders to “lock arms” and demonstrate democracies can deliver.

Biden called it a critical moment for fellow leaders to redouble their efforts to bolster democracies. In making the case for action, he noted his own battle to win passage of voting rights legislation at home and alluded to challenges to America’s democratic institutions and traditions.

Jussie Smollett awaits verdict as jurors consider case

CHICAGO (AP) — Jurors in Jussie Smollett’s trial resumed deliberations Thursday on charges the former “Empire” actor orchestrated a fake attack on himself, then lied to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist hate crime.

The jury deliberated for about two hours on Wednesday following a roughly one-week trial. They asked Judge James Linn for a copy of a calendar prosecutors displayed at trial that indicated relevant dates, including that of the alleged attack and of what two brothers testified was a “dry run” for the Jan. 29, 2019, assault.

Reality TV’s Josh Duggar convicted of child porn possession

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Former reality TV star Josh Duggar was immediately taken into custody Thursday after a federal jury convicted him of downloading and possessing child pornography.

The jury in Fayetteville, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, found the 33-year-old Duggar guilty on one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography. He faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count when he’s sentenced.

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Mallett makes history at Welsh High School

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WELSH — Today was a momentus occasion for Welsh High School, as the school celebrated its first softball signing ever. Senior Emmalee Mallett put her name on the dotted line to continue her softball career at Baton Rouge Community College. The hard-hitting catcher visited several other colleges, but settled on BRCC as the one for her.

Tigers stay perfect with 59-58 win over NCS

CROWLEY – The Lake Arthur Tigers moved their overall record to 4-0 on Tuesday night by defeating the Northside Christian School Warriors (NCS) by a final of 59-58. Trailing 48-42 going into the last quarter of play, the Tigers rallied to outscore their hosts 17-10 in the fourth to earn the slim, onepoint win over the Class C Warriors. The Tigers used the hot hands of Kenyon Boese and Ray Levi to propel them, with both combining for 37 points. The Tigers were back in action this weekend when they traveled to participate in the Grand Lake Tournament.