Navy officer jailed in Japan over a deadly car crash is transferred to US custody

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Navy officer jailed in Japan over a car crash that killed two Japanese citizens has been transferred into American custody and is being returned to the United States. That’s according to a statement Thursday from the family of Lt. Ridge Alkonis. Alkonis had been serving a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the negligent driving deaths of a woman and her son-in-law in 2021. Alkonis’ family in Dana Point, California, has said he lost consciousness in the car after suffering acute mountain sickness at Mount Fuji, causing him to slump over behind the wheel. But Japanese prosecutors contend he fell asleep while drowsy, shirking a duty to pull over.

Family of Chicago woman who died in hotel freezer agrees to $10M settlement

CHICAGO (AP) — The family of a Chicago woman who died after she became locked in a hotel freezer has agreed to a $10 million settlement. The Chicago Tribune reports that Kenneka Jenkins’ mother, Tereasa Martin, will receive more than $3.7 million from the settlement. Jenkins was found dead in a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont in 2017. Her death was ruled an accident. The family sued the hotel, its security company and a restaurant that rented the freezer alleging they didn’t secure the freezer or conduct a proper search for Jenkins after she disappeared.

Men charged with killing 3,600 birds to sell on black market

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A federal grand jury indictment says two men killed about 3,600 birds including bald and golden eagles, during a “killing spree” on Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere. Federal authorities say the men then sold eagle parts on a black market that has been a long-running problem for U.S. wildlife officials. Simon Paul of Montana and Travis John Branson of Washington state face charges of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles and conspiracy. Text messages obtained by investigators showed Branson and others telling buyers he was “on a killing spree” to collect more eagle tail feathers for future sales.

Average long-term US mortgage rate dips below 7%

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate dropped below 7% to its lowest level since early August, another boost for prospective homebuyers who have largely been held back by sharply higher borrowing costs and heightened competition for relatively few homes for sale. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage dropped to 6.95% from 7.03% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.31%. The latest drop in rates is the seventh in as many weeks. Mortgage rates have been easing since late October, when they reached 7.79%, the highest level since late 2000.

Man accused of making death threats to Ramaswamy released

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A judge has released from jail a New Hampshire man accused of sending text messages threatening to kill a presidential candidate. The judge says thirty-year-old Tyler Anderson must avoid contact with any presidential candidate and their political campaigns. Anderson was charged with sending a threat using interstate commerce. A federal prosecutor argued Thursday to keep Anderson in jail, saying “very violent, concerning language” was used. But both the prosecution and defense said Anderson had no intent to follow through on his texts. He also has no criminal record.