Arrested New Orleans jail worker says he helped inmates to escape after stabbing threat

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Authorities have arrested an Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker in connection with the escape of 10 jail inmates. The office said in a statement Tuesday that Sterling Williams admitted he turned the water off in a cell before the men slipped away through a hole behind the toilet. Williams told authorities an inmate threatened to stab him if he didn’t help. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson last week told reporters her agency had suspended three employees pending an investigation into the escape early Friday. Four of the fugitives have been apprehended and six remain at large.

New Trump vaccine policy limits access to COVID shots

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials will no longer routinely approve annual COVID-19 shots for younger adults and children who are healthy. Companies that want to market their vaccines to those Americans will need to conduct large, new studies, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. It’s a major shift in FDA’s approach to updating vaccines that protect against the virus. It comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his appointees continue to scrutinize the use of vaccines for a number of diseases. The FDA said Tuesday annual COVID shots will still be regularly approved for seniors and younger people with increased health risks from the virus.

US Capitol rioter who smashed Speaker’s Lobby door charged with burglary in Virginia

(AP) — A Virginia man has been charged with felony burglary after being pardoned for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot. Zachary Alam had smashed a Speaker’s Lobby door panel that rioter Ashli Babbitt had tried to breach. Capitol police then fatally shot Babbitt. Alam was later sentenced to eight years in prison. But he and others linked to events of January 6 were pardoned in January by President Donald Trump. Police in Henrico County say Alam was arrested May 9 for entering a home outside of Richmond and taking several items. A preliminary hearing for the case is scheduled for late June.

New salmonella outbreak tied to same Fla. grower with tainted cucumbers last year

(AP) — U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked to more than 500 illnesses last year. Cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales are linked to at least 26 illnesses in 15 states. Nine people have been hospitalized. The outbreak was detected as part of a follow-up inspection in April to a 2024 outbreak that ended in August. Investigators traced that outbreak to untreated canal water. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps.