Latest news with #Scranton
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Patience thins among MAGA loyalists for Trump to release any Epstein files
West Pittston, just outside of the industrial center of Scranton, Pennsylvania, has a classic small-town-American are clapboard houses, a main drag with businesses bearing charming vintage patina and lampposts bearing flags of the town's military MAGA Wednesday, in 85F (30C) weather, they lined the streets outside Don's Machine Shop where JD Vance spoke, touting President Donald Trump's recent legislative victory, what he calls his Big Beautiful a lawn sign nearby as the US vice-president spoke pointed to an additional priority on their minds - a rare backlash against the Trump presidency from his own supporters."WHERE IS THE LIST???" the sign read - a reference to the release of the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files, a purported tranche of government documents on the disgraced financier and sex offender. There is a rumoured "client list" of Epstein's famous friends that has fixated conspiracy the Justice Department recently threw cold water on the theory, releasing a memo saying it found no evidence that a client list exists. Among those attending the Vance event, some put their faith in Trump."When he's ready, he'll let them out," Ed DeLucca, 72, told the BBC, saying he hoped Trump would bring the documents to light. For Mr DeLucca, the rumoured files would ultimately be delivered much like any other Trump promise, such as closing the border or mass deportations of undocumented was charged by federal prosecutors for sex trafficking of minors and other crimes in 2019. He died by suicide in jail later that year, sparking continued rumors and conspiracies about his death and - most recently - about possible "clients" named in government according to the president and his top law enforcement officials, the documents may not be forthcoming - and some may not exist at all. That concession has thrown Trump's Make America Great Again movement into chaos, with even staunch supporters calling for the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino. The resulting online storm also has threatened to overshadow the budget bill, a major legislative win Trump just clawed from Epstein strategy could pit him against loyal supportersProsecutor in Diddy and Epstein cases fired by justice department"We put you in office, you ran on this platform," Steven Taylor, a local truck driver and Trump supporter who was in West Pittson on Wednesday, told CBS News, BBC's US partner. "We didn't ask for it. And now we want it. We demand it.""There needs to be accountability. There needs to be justice," he others like Mr DeLucca were more sanguine. "There's a reason for it. They'll come out," he said."They got to make peace," he said of the MAGA factions warring over Epstein."They can't exist without Pam, or Dan Bongino," he said of the administration. "It's like the Avengers assembled, the Justice League of America." But voters in the eastern Pennsylvania town, who have slowly and steadily united behind Republicans during the Trump era, may split over whether to accept the president's strategy on has tried to quell the storm, posting on Truth Social that the alleged hidden Epstein files were actually a "hoax" concocted by Democrats."Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this [expletive] hook, line, and sinker," he wrote on says US attorney general should release any 'credible' information on EpsteinChrissy Matticks echoed Trump's assessment, pinning the blame for the Epstein debacle on Democrats."I don't care. Democrats should have released it when Biden was president," she told BBC on Wednesday. "Democrats are just using it as a political football."She was far more focused on Trump's performance in passing the budget bill and deporting undocumented immigrants in a sweeping crackdown."I'd say, to our MAGA base: Have faith in President Trump."
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Scranton man breaks into neighbor's apartment, steals fan
A Scranton man broke into his neighbor's apartment and then punched out his own window to make it seem like someone had also broken into his apartment, according to a criminal complaint. Michael Ashton, 43, of 703 Smith St., Apt. 1, faces felony charges of burglary and criminal trespass. According to the criminal complaint: Police responded to the Smith Street address at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday for the report of a man, later identified as Ashton, who broke into a neighbor's apartment while she was away. Officers responding to the scene noted Ashton's hand was bleeding and asked him why he punched out his own window. Ashton said he was 'just angry.' Police called emergency medical services to the scene to treat Ashton's hand. Officers then spoke with Cindy Rieder, who said she hadn't been at her residence since June 13. When she returned, the door was off the hinges and her television and two fans were missing, Rieder said. Rieder told police Ashton was the only one who had access to her apartment because both of their apartments are off a main hallway and both have keys to that hallway. Ashton gave officers permission to search his residence. When police entered his living room they spotted a black fan that Rieder said belonged to her. Ashton then admitted to officers he took the fan. After being read his Miranda warnings, Ashton admitted he took one of the fans before July 4 because it had been extremely hot. He said Rieder's door was already off its hinges before he entered it. He said he hadn't taken Rieder's television but was willing to give her his. Rieder told police Ashton had also been using her refrigerator and had placed a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in her freezer. She told officers she had never given Ashton permission to go into her apartment or to use her refrigerator. Ashton remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. July 23 before District Judge Christopher J. Szewczyk.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Investigators: THC vape cartridges delivered to home; Scranton man arrested
A Scranton man was arrested July 3 after police tracked a package containing 500 THC vape cartridges to a local residence, according to the criminal complaint. During the month of July, investigators from the Lackawanna County district attorney's office, State Police Troop R Vice Unit and the Scranton Police Department Street Crimes Unit received a tip about illegal controlled substances being delivered to a local residence via delivery service and established surveillance there. At about 3:30 p.m. July 3, investigators spotted a UPS driver dropping off at package at the suspect address. Shortly afterward a red Toyota Prius pulled up and parked near the residence. According to the complaint: The driver, later identified as Benny Centeno, 25, got out of the vehicle with a backpack and entered the residence. A short time later, Centeno, of 831 Beech St., left the residence with the backpack visibly heavier and drove east on Delaware Street. The windows on the sedan were illegally tinted, and, given the corroborating information, investigators moved in to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Delaware Street. After Centeno was arrested, he told officers there were marijuana vape cartridges inside the vehicle and gave them permission to search. Investigators found five boxes, each containing 100 THC cartridges inside the vehicle. Centeno faces a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on July 17 before District Judge Paul Keeler. Centeno remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Craig Robinson reunites with 'The Office 'costars as he 'quits' comedy to invent an AI alarm clock
Reports of Craig Robinson's retirement from comedy have been greatly exaggerated. Just as we suspected, Robinson's announcement about stepping back from comedy to follow "something bigger" was all an elaborate prank in service of an ad campaign. But here's another fun twist: Robinson has also reconnected with his comedy roots by reuniting with several of his The Office costars. As part of his "Wake Up With CrAIg?" AT&T Business spot — a campaign to show how the company keeps small businesses connected — Robinson called upon former Scranton residents Ellie Kemper, Angela Kinsey, Creed Bratton and Oscar Nuñez. The spot sees Robinson pivot from comedy to small business ownership with a big idea: an AI alarm clock designed to spread good vibes for fellow entrepreneurs. Robinson begins the video by getting the group together in a Dunder Mifflin-esque parking lot, then takes them inside a garage to show off his new invention. "Meet CraigAI," Robinson says, unveiling the clock. "Or as I like to call him, CrAIg." The awkward-to-pronounce name is followed by a pause, before Bratton asks, "Are we 100% on that name?" "I think we should workshop it," Kinsey suggests. Meanwhile, Kemper is fully onboard: "I like it! Let's stick with CrAIg." The actors then take turns trying to pronounce the clock's name before Robinson shows off the clock's features: a little version of him pops up and designs a wake-up song. "Craig, how did you get in that little box?," Bratton asks. "Is it magic? Robinson then explains that the goal is to "help small business owners wake up." "With CraAIg," Kemper nods, prompting everyone to once again attempt pronouncing the name. "Don't worry about saying it," Robinson eventually tells turned heads last week with a series of cryptic Instagram posts, and an announcement that he was retiring from comedy. "Just wanted you to hear it from me: I am quitting comedy," Robinson said in an Instagram video. "But not for nothing. It's been an amazing run. Y'all been amazing and wonderful, but I'm following something bigger. So, you know, thank you so much, I love you and stay tuned." He added in the caption that he was stepping away to "focus on my true calling" and teased, "Stay tuned. I'm working on something huge." Representatives for Robinson did not respond to multiple requests for comment. However, Robinson's retirement announcement continues to ring false, as the comedian is scheduled to appear at the Omaha Funny Bone club later this week, followed by a gig at the Los Angeles Comedy Store. He also has stand-up dates lined up in Orlando, Seattle, Nashville, Detroit and Toledo, along with several incoming projects such as, The Bad Guys 2. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Court docs: Arkansas woman and grandson's race at high-speed led to crash that killed sisters
PARIS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Newly filed court documents have revealed details in what led up to the crash that killed two Logan County sisters in May. Martha Phillips, 71, was arrested by Arkansas State Police in June for two counts of manslaughter for her alleged role in furnishing a vehicle to a minor without a driver's license. Phillips' 16-year-old grandson, identified in a probable cause affidavit as Ian Phillips, was charged with two counts of manslaughter. Court documents said that on May 30, Martha Phillips allowed Ian Phillips to drive a sports car without a license and was involved in a three-vehicle crash. Martha and Ian reportedly traveled to Missouri to buy a Chevrolet Camaro for him. They then traveled back to their home in Scranton. People across Arkansas mourning sisters killed in Logan County multi-car crash Ian was allegedly traveling at 150 miles per hour and collided with a Toyota Rav4 that was traveling at 53 miles per hour. The collision caused the Toyota to 'accelerate to over 90 miles per hour and collide head-on with an oncoming semi-truck,' the affidavit said. Mackenzie Arthur, 20, and her sister, Maddie Arthur, 17, both of Scranton, were killed in the crash. No other injuries were reported. The affidavit mentioned that Martha knew Ian had a history of reckless driving, including fleeing from law enforcement on a side-by-side. Ian also previously took Martha's vehicle and wrecked it in a field, according to the affidavit. Ian's sister spoke with law enforcement and said that Ian told her that he and Martha were racing from Fayetteville. 'Ian bragged about 'gapping' the whole way back from Fayetteville,' Ian's sister said. The affidavit said that Martha 'had maxed out at 120 miles per hour.' Martha Phillips is free on a $250,000 bond and is set to appear in court on July 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
