Latest news with #JasonPack
Fox News
6 days ago
- Fox News
Notorious 'Hillside Strangler' seeks freedom after decades behind bars despite expert warnings
One of the notorious "Hillside Stranglers" was recently considered for potential parole in Washington state, with many asking how someone convicted of such heinous crimes could be considered for release. "When people hear that Kenneth Bianchi, one of the men known as the Hillside Stranglers, is up for parole again, it brings back fear and sadness for the families of the victims," retired FBI special agent Jason Pack tells Fox News Digital. "These families lost daughters, sisters, and friends in some of the most brutal and cold-hearted crimes this country has seen. For them, this hearing isn't just a legal step. It forces them to relive painful memories they've carried for decades." Anthony D'Amato, formerly known as Kenneth Bianchi, is one of the infamous "Hillside Stranglers," responsible for a series of murders involving women and girls during the late 1970s, including two killings in Washington. D'Amato and his cousin, Angelo Buono, were also convicted of murdering five individuals in Southern California. Buono passed away in a California prison in 2002. Acting alone, D'Amato also killed two women in the Bellingham area. Though suspected of additional killings, he was never convicted of those crimes. D'Amato then legally changed his name from Bianchi in 2023. "As a retired FBI agent who spent years working violent crime and studying the behavior of offenders like Bianchi, I can tell you that this kind of danger does not simply go away with age," Pack said. "His crimes were carefully planned. He picked out his victims, gained their trust, and then attacked and killed them. Even after his arrest, Bianchi worked hard to avoid responsibility. He faked mental illness, claimed to have multiple personalities, and tried to manipulate doctors and the justice system," Pack pointed out. Pack said the fact that D'Amato changed his name could be seen as another attempt to distance himself from his past and confuse the process. "Some people watching at home may wonder why he's even getting a parole hearing. The reason is simple: under the law, certain types of sentences require parole reviews at scheduled times. This does not mean he is likely to be released. The parole board will consider many things: how serious his crimes were, how he has behaved in prison, whether he has shown real remorse, and what risk he would pose if ever released," Pack explained. "In Bianchi's case, the pattern of lies, manipulation and lack of accountability should weigh heavily against him." Pack added that even though Bianchi is now 74 years old, "age does not erase the mindset that led him to kill." "The thinking, manipulation and risk factors that made him dangerous in the past remain present today. People like him can still manipulate others, even from behind bars," Pack said. Even if paroled in Washington, California has active murder charges pending, Pack explained, working to ease concerns for those who are worried about public safety if he is paroled. "It's important to know that even if Washington state were to grant him parole, which I think is unlikely, California has multiple life sentences waiting for him. He would not be released into the community. He would be immediately transferred to California to serve those sentences," Pack said. Realistically, Pack said Bianchi could remain incarcerated well into old age – likely until death. Despite disturbing headlines, parole does not guarantee release, Pack said, adding that Bianchi still faces serious legal roadblocks. "At the end of the day, the families of the victims deserve peace. The community deserves to feel safe. And the justice system has a responsibility to make sure a man who caused so much harm remains where he belongs – behind bars," Pack said. After committing a series of violent crimes, including the sexual assault and murder of women in the Los Angeles area, D'Amato was employed as a security guard in Bellingham in January 1979. During his time there, he persuaded two Western Washington University students, Karen Mandic and Diane Wilder, to accompany him to a residence, where he subsequently strangled them. These murders prompted law enforcement to link D'Amato to approximately 10 similar cases in California. To avoid a death sentence, D'Amato pleaded guilty in Washington and received two consecutive life sentences without parole. During his incarceration, D'Amato has made repeated legal attempts to overturn his Washington convictions, arguing, among other things, that his confession was obtained under hypnosis. He has consistently proclaimed his innocence. Pack said that during the time of Bianchi's conviction, California law allowed for periodic parole hearings, even for convicted murderers. That law remains applicable to those sentenced under it. D'Amato's parole requests have been denied on multiple occasions in recent years in both Washington state and California. D'Amato, now 74 and incarcerated at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, was originally scheduled for a parole hearing in May 2025, which was later delayed. The board is expected to publish its decision by July 23. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Worst Money Habits of Millennials — And What To Do Instead
Let's be real — money can feel like a never-ending puzzle, especially for millennials juggling student loans, rent and that constant urge to treat themselves. Some money habits sneak up on us without us even realizing it, and before you know it, you're stuck in a cycle that's tough to break. But don't worry, you're not alone. And the good news is, there are smarter, easier ways to take control of your cash. Learn More: Find Out: 'Millennials face unique money struggles, but some of their worst financial habits are based on well-meaning but misplaced moves,' said Kevin Huffman, owner of Kriminil Trading. Here are some of the worst money habits millennials tend to fall into, and more importantly, what you can do instead to build a healthier financial future. According to Huffman, one of the big traps for millennials is the masquerade of lifestyle inflation as 'self-care.' While it might feel self-affirming to spend $200 on a yoga retreat or daily $7 matcha lattes, but when you haven't budgeted for it, it can be chipping away at your savings quietly. Instead, Huffman recommended budgeting for self-care that's actually going to reduce future stress such as a 401(k) match, or a much-needed emergency fund. For You: Jason Pack, chief revenue officer at Freedom Debt Relief, said millennials have really normalized paying a premium for convenience compared to generations before them, often with the easy swipe of a credit card or Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service. 'Some people have a constant stream of Uber Eats and impulse buys from Amazon with same-day shipping, using services like Afterpay to finance every purchase,' Pack remarked. He explained that these services cost more, which isn't always bad. Sometimes, convenience is worth the premium, so long as your other financial priorities are taken care of. 'But too many people have convenience spending so engrained in their daily habits, they're unaware of the full impact on their finances,' Pack said. When you sit down and add up all those purchases over a month, he said most people are shocked at the numbers. Before worrying about building a restrictive budget, go through your last 60 days of credit card and bank statements. Tally up the delivery fees, the tips, the service charges, and the BNPL payments. From there, create a conscious spending plan. Automate your savings, your retirement contributions and your bill payments first. Then, decide on a specific, reasonable amount for a monthly convenience fund. 'That's your guilt-free money to spend however you like, because you know all your important financial goals have already been taken care of.' 'Millennials carry a heavy psychological weight from their student loans and are determined to pay them off as fast as possible,' said Pack. According to CNBC, millennials are the generation with the fastest growing debt load. While it's responsible to pay down debt, you should do the math before you throw every spare dollar there. If you have a government student loan with a 4% interest rate, Pack said it might make sense to make minimum payments as you build a proper emergency fund or invest for your future. The trick is to prioritize all your financial priorities and fund them in a balanced way rather than taking an all-or-nothing approach. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your State? This article originally appeared on 3 Worst Money Habits of Millennials — And What To Do Instead
Metro
23-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Oil prices - what will happen if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz?
Global oil prices are surging. It is the clearest signal yet that instability in the Middle East will spill over, after Israel's bombardments on Iran – bolstered by US airstrikes on three nuclear sites – entered a second week. A third of the world's oil is derived from the region, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar being the biggest fossil fuel suppliers, so any disruption will, of course, shake up the market. Fears are also rising that the Islamic Regime could follow through on their promise to close the Strait of Hormuz – the most strategic oil chokepoint in the world. And if things get uglier, security experts have told Metro that the oil could jump from the current price of $78.96 per barrel to as much as $120 in a 'worst-case scenario'. What is striking – and somewhat ironic – is that just 24 hours after the US hit Iran's nuclear assets, Washington is now urging China to pressure Iran to keep the 103-mile stretch of ocean open… Oil prices surged to a five-month high as investors wait to see if Iran would retaliate against the US attacks on its nuclear sites. A barrel of Brent crude oil – the benchmark price – jumped by around 1.53% to $78.19 a barrel as of around 7.15 CEST, while WTI rose 1.48% to $74.93 a barrel. It is worth remembering that this is around the average price for 2024, but with Israel's war only escalating, this may not be the end of it. No oil sites have actually been struck in Iran, so the market is calmer than expected. That said, if the Islamic Regime's Supreme National Security Council does approve of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the oil price will jump even higher. Yet for now, there is 'no hint of disruption', said Javier Blas, Bloomberg's energy and commodities columnist. He said: 'Multiple oil tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz this morning, both in and outbound. Not even a hint of disruption. 'Oil loading across multiple ports in the Persian Gulf appears normal. If anything, export rates over the last week are higher than earlier in June.' Closing the Strait of Hormuz would have 'the most profound impact' on the global oil price and the stock market since the Iraq War. Jason Pack, fellow at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and host of the Disorder Podcast, told Metro that it would be 'such a committal step' for Iran that it would indicate which way the war is going. He said: 'There are many reasons why the Iranians would not want to close it. For one, they would not be able to make any money from their oil. 'Their allies, particularly China, would not want that. China is dependent on Iranian oil and their economy is already suffering.' Closing the Strait of Hormuz also does not happen automatically – there is no barrier or another contraption to physically stop the passing of ships. More Trending Instead, Pack explained that Iran would plant underwater mines or attack a tanker, for example, to signal it. This would also force insurance premiums for vessels to 'go through the roof.' He added: 'This would then cause oil to have to be taken on pipelines and trucks to the Mediterranean, and that would cause tremendous delays, and a lot of oil will not be produced as there are not enough storage facilities. 'So there would be a huge price hit and the markets would go crazy.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Is it safe to travel to Qatar? Latest after cancelled Doha flights from UK MORE: Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice after US strikes on Iran MORE: El Al airline announces rescue flights from Israel to London
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How To Use Your Paycheck To Get Rich — Budgeting, Saving and Investing Your Income Wisely
Let's be real: Getting rich off a single paycheck sounds like a stretch — but using your paycheck wisely to build wealth over time? Totally doable. Remember This: Find More: Whether you're just starting out or finally earning more than you spend, how you handle your income matters way more than how much you make. According to Jason Pack, chief revenue officer at Freedom Debt Relief, most people fail to build wealth because they're struggling to set a solid foundation for living within their means. 'If you can't find ways to make a budget work consistently, you won't have enough cash left over to save, let alone invest,' he said. Here's a breakdown of how to budget, save, and invest like someone who knows what they're doing — even if you're figuring it out as you go. While most Americans have a monthly budget, experts say many still overspend. 'Automated clarity, not controlling your spending power, is in knowing where every dollar goes, and not having to monitor your spending,' said Dennis Shirshikov, professor of finance at City University of New York and head of growth and engineering at GrowthLimit. The best budgets are not Excel spreadsheets that make you feel guilty — they're systems that allow you to live your life without having to think about money constantly. Shirshikov suggested trying reverse budgeting. Rather than minutely recording where every dollar goes, you commit upfront to your biggest priorities — investing, saving and paying down debt — and then spend what you have left. 'For as long as you invest 20% of each paycheck into wealth-building instead, you'll never have to wonder if saving is something you can afford,' he said. See Next: Think in 'buckets,' not just balances. According to Shirshikov, one of the most potent (yet underused) parts of a new system is the ability to bucket interest rates and allocate the balance accordingly. 'The average savings account is a number that is a flat, plain number that sits there.' Smart savers employ a few psychological tricks to keep you from raiding it. He recommended creating distinct savings buckets for short-term needs (3-6 months of expenses), mid-term goals (a car, a house, a sabbatical), and long-term plans (retirement or financial independence). His out-of-the-box tip? Personalize your savings accounts with nicknames such as 'Quit My Job Fund' and 'Freedom Fund.' You are far less likely to steal from a goal you've emotionally tagged. 'Language shapes behavior,' he said. When it comes to investing, set it and forget it is your best bet. 'It's been said that the most effective wealth-building tool is consistent investing,' said Shirshikov. For newbies, a Roth IRA or 401(k) with broad market index funds (such as VTI or SPY) is plenty. But don't just contribute — automate and escalate. Each time you get a raise, nudge your contributions up 1-2%. For people who want to venture on less traditional wealth paths, Shirshikov said income-generating investments such as REITs, dividend-paying stocks or fractional real estate platforms are worth considering. 'You don't have to buy a house to profit from flippers,' he added. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement This article originally appeared on How To Use Your Paycheck To Get Rich — Budgeting, Saving and Investing Your Income Wisely Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Anti-ICE rioters may face domestic terrorism federal charges as Trump admin sends stern message: ret FBI agent
As the anti-ICE riots and unrest continue in Los Angeles and across many major U.S. cities, a retired FBI agent says serious charges could be coming against those who are wreaking havoc. "Federal authorities may describe violent actions during protests as 'domestic terrorism' if there is evidence the individuals intended to intimidate the public or influence government decisions through force," Jason Pack, a retired FBI special agent, told Fox News Digital. "While federal law defines domestic terrorism, there is no specific criminal charge by that name," Pack explained. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice told Fox News Digital that "nothing is off the table" at this point. "As directed by the Attorney General, this Department of Justice will charge the most serious readily provable offenses. In each of these cases, we are carefully following the evidence to seek the strongest sentences permissible by law against these domestic terrorists, and nothing is off the table." Pack added that prosecutors would "typically use existing laws to file charges such as arson, assault on federal officers, destruction of property, or conspiracy." "Importantly, peaceful protesters who exercise their First Amendment rights without violence are not subject to terrorism investigations or charges. The term is only applied when criminal acts cross the line into ideologically driven violence," Pack said. Pack said while there is no "specific crime called domestic terrorism" in U.S. law, the government still uses that term to describe certain dangerous acts. "If someone commits a violent crime — like setting fires, attacking police, or destroying government property — and they do it to scare people or push a political belief, the FBI can treat it as domestic terrorism," Pack explained. John Yoo, a former deputy assistant attorney general and UC Berkeley law professor, echoed Pack and said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) "has plenty of grounds to charge people with obstruction of federal officers and of justice." Pack emphasized again that this does not apply to peaceful demonstrators, only "those who commit or plan acts of violence with political motive." "While the actual charges come from other criminal laws, the terrorism label can lead to more serious investigations and tougher sentences," Pack said. However, Pack said that "protest-related violence" that is carried out by individuals with anarchist or anti-government beliefs is more likely to be labeled as domestic terrorism. "Federal agencies like the FBI and Department of Homeland Security consider anarchist violent extremists part of the domestic terrorism threat landscape, especially when violence is organized, politically motivated, and targets law enforcement or government institutions," Pack said. "The anarchists plan before they even show up. They use encrypted messaging apps like Signal and Telegram to coordinate everything: where to meet, who brings what. They discuss how to blend in, where to watch police, and how to respond when law enforcement pushes back," Pack continued. Pack said that law enforcement analysts are placing the blame for these escalating riots on a core group of organized anarchists, made up of about 60 individuals, who slipped into the protest crowds. "They didn't come to march. They came to carry out a plan they've been developing for years. Slogans aren't their thing. They rely on structure. And when they hit the streets, it shows," Pack said. "Many arrive late, dressed in black. They quickly change clothes afterward to avoid being identified," he continued. "They know where cameras are, how to create gaps in police lines, and how to spark crowd reactions that lead to violence."Pack said that these specific types of agitators are "on a mission to steal trust by hijacking peaceful protests." "When these groups act, they don't start small. They target highly visible places — bridges, courthouses, highways. They use distractions and speed, forcing police to react, then record that reaction. Their goal is to provoke. The video becomes fuel, spreading fast on social media to draw in more people and keep tensions high," Pack said. Pack also referred to these tactics working in the 2020 George Floyd and Antifa riots, which is why they are using them again now, he said, except now they are becoming more sophisticated. "They turn public anger into confrontation, then disappear into the smoke, leaving communities to deal with the damage. Their methods are professional," Pack described. "Their motives are radical, and their impact is growing." Sen. Tom Cotton introduced two new bills designed to place more strict consequences on violent protesters, specifically those who are targeting federal agents or are in the country illegally. "Rioters who assault ICE officers and engage in acts of violence should face stiff consequences," Cotton said in a statement. "My bill makes clear that Americans will not tolerate lawless rioting and is a guardrail from pro-crime prosecutors that fail to enforce the law." The FBI said that it would be investigating and looking into any organized effort that was created to cause chaos in Los Angeles. Hundreds have been arrested in Los Angeles as cars have been burned and tensions between rioters and law enforcement have continued to intensify. During an interview on "The Claman Countdown" last week, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a warning to violent rioters. "We're coming after those criminals because they're using this protest and otherwise legitimate protest to commit these violent and criminal acts. We're gonna hold them accountable, and they'll be brought to justice," Hochman vowed. President Trump has received pushback from several Democrat lawmakers after deploying 700 U.S. Marines to assist the police and National Guard in restoring the peace in Los Angeles. "President Trump will always support and defend the brave law enforcement officers who are being attacked by the violent left-wing rioters. Those who target law enforcement officials will be held accountable to the full extent of the law," Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman, told Fox News Digital. Appearing on Fox News last week, Cotton argued it was not the deployment of federal resources or deportation efforts that were "provocative," but rather the behavior of protesters. "It's not provocative to enforce federal law. It's not provocative to do what President Trump campaigned on," he said. "What's provocative is to have all of these illegal aliens setting cars on fire while waving foreign flags — and now being joined by professional agitators from Antifa and pro-Hamas sympathizers." Fox News Digital reached out to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office for comment. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
