Rachel Griffiths to Chair Jury at CinefestOZ, Offering $100K Film Prize Amid Stellar Lineup and Intimate Filmmaker Events

Busselton, Australia — The CinefestOZ Film Festival, celebrated for its premiere of Australian cinematic works, has announced Rachel Griffiths, a distinguished actress and filmmaker, as the Jury Chair of its prestigious film prize. Scheduled from August 31 to September 8 in the scenic South West region of Western Australia, the festival boasts the country’s most lucrative film award, offering $100,000 to an outstanding Australian production. Griffiths expressed her excitement about the role, emphasizing the festival’s cultural significance post-pandemic. “After the challenges brought by Covid, events such as CinefestOZ play a crucial role in reviving our … Read more

Local Attorney Caught in $20 Million Escrow Fraud Scandal, Faces Lawsuit

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A lawsuit has been filed against Shawn Harju, a local attorney and business owner, accusing her of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that resulted in nearly $20 million in losses for Highmore Financing Company. The allegations, detailed in a recent filing in King County Superior Court, include multiple charges ranging from breach of fiduciary duty to civil conspiracy. Harju, who practices law under Chrysalis Solutions, also owns Three Trees Yoga in Federal Way and holds the position of vice chair on the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce board of directors. These roles … Read more

Judge Bars Media Cameras in Myon Burrell’s New Felony Trial; Escalates Public and Legal Debate

MINNEAPOLIS — Myon Burrell, whose life sentence for a murder conviction was commuted in 2020, is back in the spotlight as he faces new charges related to weapons and drugs. The trial, set to commence in Hennepin County District Court on Monday, has attracted additional attention after a request to allow courtroom cameras was denied by a local judge. Burrell, who was arrested during a 2022 traffic stop by Robbinsdale police, was allegedly found with a loaded Glock and illegal drugs in his vehicle. The decision to keep cameras out of the courtroom was made … Read more

Becky Hammon Counters Former Player’s Bullying Claims Amid Legal Battle

Las Vegas, NV — In a post-game press conference following the Las Vegas Aces’ 87-71 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, Aces head coach Becky Hammon addressed allegations leveled against her and the organization by former player Dearica Hamby. Hammon, now coaching the player who accused her and the team of significant misconduct, explicitly refuted the claims of bullying and discrimination. Hammon, expressing a strong disagreement with Hamby’s accusations, stated, “It just didn’t happen — the bullying. I spoke with her every day. If she wanted to practice, she practiced. If she didn’t, she didn’t. … Read more