Florida judge rejects attempt by Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend to throw out nondisclosure agreement
A Florida judge has sided with superstar golfer Tiger Woods in a legal dispute with his ex-girlfriend. Judge Elizabeth Metzger rejected late Wednesday an attempt by Erica Herman to throw out her nondisclosure agreement with Woods. Metzger called Herman’s allegation that was a victim of sexual harassment “vague and threadbare.” She also said that Herman’s questioning if whether she actually signed the agreement is also something that should be decided by the arbitrator. Herman has been suing Woods and the trust that owns his Florida mansion, seeking $30 million from the latter. Herman and Woods were together for about five years before they split in October.
Dancers at Los Angeles bar to become only unionized strippers in US after 15-month battle
NEW YORK (AP) — Dancers at a Los Angeles bar could soon become the only unionized group of strippers in the U.S. The Actors’ Equity Association labor union says that owners of the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood have withdrawn their opposition and agreed to recognize the strippers’ union. Dancers at the club have been seeking safer workplace conditions, better pay and health insurance, among other benefits for 15 months. But their unionization drive was stalled by objections and legal challenges from the club’s management. The union announced this week that management had agreed to a settlement, and a formal vote count by the National Labor Relations Board has been set for Thursday.
Elizabeth Holmes will start 11-year prison sentence on May 30 after losing her bid to remain free
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes will remain free through the Memorial Day weekend before surrendering to authorities on May 30. That would be the start of her more than 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors in a blood-testing scam. A federal judge set Holmes’ revised prison-reporting date after her lawyers proposed it in a Wednesday filing. It came after a federal appeals court late Tuesday rejected her bid to remain out of prison while she attempts to overturn her conviction on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy. The punishment also includes a $452 million restitution. The 39-year-old Holmes will leave behind her two young children when she reports to prison.
Daytime Emmy Awards postponed because of writers strike
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Daytime Emmy Awards have become the latest casualty of the Hollywood writers strike. The show set for June 16 in Los Angeles is being postponed indefinitely because of the strike by the Writers Guild of America. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences says it looks forward to gathering to celebrate the Daytime Emmys’ 50th anniversary “at a later date.” The show honoring soap operas and talk shows was to be televised on CBS. Last year, the Daytime Emmys returned to a live, in-person event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.
$2 billion budget bump: Oregon GOP walkout stalls two-year funding plan amid rosy revenue forecast
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s income tax receipts are forecast to be significantly higher than expected, giving state lawmakers more room to negotiate over spending priorities. But that doesn’t appear to be enough to bring Republicans back from a walkout that began May 3. The Democratic Senate president is imploring Republicans to return to seize what he’s calling a “momentous opportunity.” However the Senate GOP leader is still accusing Democrats of having an uncompromising, unlawful agenda. Three Republicans and an Independent Party senator have already been disqualified from reelection because they’ve accumulated at least 10 unexcused absences since the walkout started. Six more lawmakers are approaching the limit on absences.
Pale Male, red-tailed hawk who nested above NYC’s Fifth Avenue for 30 years, dies at 33
NEW YORK (AP) — A red-tailed hawk named Pale Male has died after bringing a touch of the wild to swanky Manhattan for 30 years. The hawk gained fame nesting above Fifth Avenue for three decades with a succession of mates. Wildlife rehabilitator Bobby Horvath posted on Facebook that Pale Male died late Tuesday. The bird was found ill and grounded in Central Park. He was believed to be 33 years old. Pale Male got his name because of his whitish plumage. He was first spotted in Central Park as a juvenile in 1991 and began nesting on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park in 1993.
Death toll up to 7 after hippo capsized canoe in Malawi; 17 missing
BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — The death toll has risen to seven people after a hippopotamus charged into and capsized a canoe on a river in the southern African nation of Malawi. Police said that six bodies were recovered on Wednesday following the incident on Monday. A 1-year-old child was confirmed dead on Tuesday. Police say the six new bodies recovered included a teenage boy and a teenage girl. Police say 17 people are still missing and the search for them continues although they are feared dead. Authorities said the canoe was carrying 37 people when the incident happened in the Nsanje District in southern Malawi.
Justice Department watchdog finds US attorney in Massachusetts tried to influence DA election
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department’s internal watchdog is out with a highly critical report on the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts. The inspector general says Rachael Rollins tried to use her position to influence the outcome of a race for Boston’s district attorney by leaking information aimed at sabotaging the campaign of her preferred candidate’s rival. The report accuses Rollins of a broad array of misconduct. Another federal watchdog agency, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, found in its own investigative report that on multiple occasions, Rollins violated a law that political activity by government workers. Her lawyer says Rollins will resign by the end of the day on Friday.
Angelina Jolie unveils fashion venture aimed at sustainability, assisting refugees
NEW YORK (AP) — Angelina Jolie announced a new fashion venture Wednesday. The actress, director and former United Nations special envoy said customers of Atelier Jolie will participate in the making of their own creations with master tailors, pattern makers and artisans around the world. The project will use only vintage materials and discarded fabrics. Jolie said Atelier Jolie will bring together a diverse team, including apprenticeships for refugees and other talented, underappreciated groups. Customers will be able to dip into their own closets to rework pieces. No further details were released. Jolie’s fashion choices and those of her children are often dissected in the media.
Target wrestles with pullback in spending and theft that may cost retailer more than $1B this year
NEW YORK (AP) — Target has reported another quarterly profit decline and issued a cautious sales and profit outlook for the current period. The discounter is dealing with rising costs and consumers who are more cautious about their spending. Still, Target’s fiscal first-quarter results Wednesday beat Wall Street expectations and the company reiterated its annual sales and profit forecasts. Target is among the first major U.S. retailers to report first-quarter earnings. Retail industry analysts will be looking to see how stubbornly high inflation and tightening credit are impacting shoppers.
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