Violence

Violence at Voting Site: Young Man Arrested After Assaulting Election Judge in Orland Park

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Orland Park, IL – A local man is facing serious charges following an incident at an early voting location on Sunday where he allegedly punched an election judge. Authorities identified the suspect as 24-year-old Daniel Schmidt from Orland Park. The altercation took place at the Orland Township offices around 11 a.m., where Schmidt reportedly caused a commotion among voters. Police reports suggest that Schmidt entered the facility, skipping the queue of waiting voters, which prompted an election judge to direct him to the end of the line. According to law enforcement officials, Schmidt refused to … Read more

Connecticut Pioneers Paid Leave for Family Violence Victims: A Model for National Legislation?

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Hartford, CT — Connecticut, recognized for its innovative policies, first established its family violence leave law in 2010. This pioneering legislation bars employers from firing, penalizing or threatening employees who are victims of family violence or who participate in related court proceedings. The state law also mandates that employers provide paid or unpaid leave to these victims for necessary related activities during the year. Recent amendments have expanded the scope of this law to include paid leave benefits from the state under certain circumstances, such as leaves due to sexual assaults involving the employee or … Read more

Santa Rosa Man Receives 7-Year Sentence for Spree of Vandalism and Domestic Violence in Mendocino County

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Ukiah, CA — A Mendocino County Superior Court jury recently concluded its deliberations, delivering guilty verdicts on several counts against a local man accused of significant vandalism and trespassing offenses. The announcement of the verdicts ended a four-day trial overseen by Judge Victoria Shanahan. The individual in question, Jesus Anthony Herrera, 41, of Ukiah, faced multiple accusations, including three felony counts of vandalism where the damage exceeded $400 each, the employment of a splitting maul in committing one of the felonies, and a misdemeanor count of aggravated trespass. In March 2023, Herrera wrought havoc by … Read more

Maine’s Yellow Flag Law Usage Surges Post-Mass Shooting, Exceeding 400 Interventions in Effort to Prevent Violence

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Lewiston, Maine — In the aftermath of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting, law enforcement officials have significantly increased the use of the state’s yellow flag law, aiming to prevent further tragedies by removing weapons from individuals deemed threats to themselves or others. Since the law came into effect in 2020, its application saw a dramatic rise following the horrific events at a local bar and bowling alley on Oct. 25, 2023, where 18 lives were tragically lost. From the inception of the law until the day prior to the mass shooting, police had utilized the provision … Read more