Violence

Maine Lawmaker Faces Domestic Violence Charges After Grand Jury Ruling

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A grand jury in Portland, Maine, has determined there is sufficient evidence to charge a state legislator with domestic violence charges. The unnamed legislator is accused of several instances of physical assault against a family member spanning a period of two years. The allegations came to light when a close relative of the accused contacted local authorities, leading to an investigation that initially started several months ago. The investigation gathered strength as more evidence surfaced, culminating in the grand jury’s decision this past week. This case brings to the forefront the issues of domestic violence … Read more

Modoc County Domestic Violence Case Dismissed Due to Judicial Shortage, Exposing Systemic Court Delays

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ALTURAS, Calif. — In a rare turn of events in Modoc County, a criminal case was dismissed due to a shortage of judges, illustrating the challenges smaller counties face in maintaining adequate judicial resources. On February 27, 2025, Superior Court Judge Wendy Dier was forced to dismiss a domestic violence case involving defendant Angela Totten due to the prolonged absence of a second judge in the county. The case originally stemmed from allegations against Totten including battery, battery on a spouse, and resisting arrest with penalties that could have extended up to two and half … Read more

Senators Propose Bill to Train Beauty Industry Professionals in Domestic Violence Awareness, Pushing for Nationwide Adoption of Life-Saving Initiative

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Nashville, Tenn.— In a significant stride toward addressing domestic violence through unconventional routes, a group of bipartisan senators, led by Tennessee’s Senator Marsha Blackburn, has introduced a new legislative proposal titled the Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act. This pioneering act aims to merge the expertise of beauty industry professionals with the ongoing fight against domestic violence by encouraging state-level training programs. The newly introduced legislation seeks to offer federal grants as incentives for states that legislate mandatory domestic violence awareness training for beauty professionals. This federal initiative underscores … Read more

Johns Hopkins Report Urges States to Adopt Stricter Gun Licensing to Curb Violence

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BALTIMORE — A recent study from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions advocates for the broader implementation of firearm purchaser licensing laws, highlighting evidence that these regulations can significantly reduce gun violence. The report, developed in collaboration with the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy, introduces a set of strategic recommendations designed to optimize the effectiveness of such legislation in safeguarding public health. Released on February 18 and titled “Firearm Purchaser Licensing: Research Evidence to Inform State Policy,” the study suggests that gun licensing laws should incorporate several critical features. These include mandatory firearms … Read more