Teen

Peoria Teen Accused of Threatening Judge Following Arrest for Alleged Gunfire Incident

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PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria resident is facing charges after allegedly threatening a judge who ordered him to be held in jail for firing a gun into a house. On Monday, 18-year-old Taiwand Hughes appeared before Peoria County Judge Mark Gilles for a detention hearing, where he was ordered to remain in custody until his trial for aggravated discharge of a firearm. According to authorities, after the hearing, a recorded phone call captured Hughes stating his anticipation to “catch the judge walking out of the courthouse.” This statement led to an additional charge of threatening … Read more

Community Activists Rally for Juvenile Justice Reform as Teen Crime Surges in Charlotte

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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Community activists in Charlotte are calling for a reassessment of juvenile charging laws in the wake of a recent increase in teen crimes. The demand comes after a vigil was held in west Charlotte to commemorate a senior from Myers Park High School who was fatally shot at a house party. While law enforcement sources suggest the shooting was accidental, the tragedy highlights the need for action. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s annual crime report, there has been a surge in juvenile crime in the area. In response, local organization … Read more

Growing Bipartisan Support for Online Restrictions to Tackle Teen Mental Health and Social Media Addiction

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ALBANY, New York – Governors and state legislators across the United States are rallying behind proposals aimed at limiting the usage of social media by teenagers. As the tech industry finds itself entangled in legal battles to fend off regulation efforts, bipartisan support for such restrictions is growing. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, emphasized the urgent need to address youth mental health and social media addiction in her recent State of the State speech. Hochul vowed to tackle the “scourge of social media” that has plagued the Empire State, highlighting the detrimental impact … Read more

Jury Awards $60 Million to Parents of Teen Killed in Civilian Car Chase

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — A jury in L.A. County Superior Court has awarded the parents of a teenager killed in a civilian car chase more than $60 million in damages. The jury awarded $23.25 million to Julie Esphorst and $36.5 million to Jesse Esphorst Sr. The tragic incident occurred six years ago when 16-year-old Jesse Esphorst Jr. and his father were returning from a baseball game. Their minivan was struck by two vehicles involved in a chase at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Crest Road in Torrance. Jesse’s father was severely injured, while Jesse tragically … Read more