Texas megachurch pastor Robert Morris is free after 6 months in an Oklahoma jail for child sex abuse
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The founder of a Texas megachurch who resigned after pleading guilty to sexually abusing an Oklahoma woman in the 1980s has been released from an Oklahoma jail. Osage County officials say 64-year-old Robert Preston Morris was released early Tuesday. He served six months after pleading guilty last year to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Under the agreement, he received a 10-year suspended sentence and must register as a sex offender. He also was ordered to pay his incarceration costs and restitution to the victim. Prosecutors say the abuse began in 1982 when the victim was 12 and Morris was a traveling evangelist staying in Hominy, Oklahoma.
Spice maker McCormick to combine with Hellmann's maker Unilever in latest food industry shakeup
NEW YORK (AP) — Spice and flavorings company McCormick is combining with Unilever’s foods division, which includes household names like Hellmann’s and Knorr. The combined company will maintain McCormick’s name and leadership. But upon closing, Unilever and its shareholders are expected to own 65% of the food company’s outstanding equity, amounting $29.1 billion. Unilever would also get $15.7 billion in cash. Meanwhile, McCormick shareholders will own 35.0%. Unilever and McCormick confirmed they were in talks about a deal earlier this month, with Unilever attempting to streamline its business and focus on beauty and personal care products.
A US Marine is detained after TSA finds a live 25 mm explosive round in his checked bag
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Police in California say a U.S. Marine has been detained at Palm Springs International Airport after Transportation Security Administration personnel found a live explosive round in his checked bag. It happened Monday during routine baggage screening. The Palm Springs Police Department says the Marine told investigators he picked up the 25 mm round about a year ago. He said he thought it was not live. Police say rust and corrosion hid the markings. Authorities confirmed it was live and destroyed it in a desert area. No one was hurt and authorities are reviewing the case for potential criminal and civil penalties.
Humpback whale stranded again as its odyssey off the Baltic Sea coast stretches on
BERLIN (AP) — A humpback whale that has become stranded repeatedly off Germany’s Baltic Sea coast in recent days has got stuck again, less than a day after swimming free. But rescuers were hopeful that it could still find its way out into the open sea. The whale swam free late Monday from the spot near the German port of Wismar where it had been stuck since the weekend. It disappeared from view for hours until it was seen Tuesday morning. Police and environmentalists sent rubber boats to accompany the whale, but it turned off a course that would have taken it out of Wismar Bay and into an inlet, where it was stranded again.
Army reviewing after helicopters hovered alongside Kid Rock's swimming pool as he saluted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Army has launched an administrative review after two AH-64 Apache helicopters on a training run maneuvered near the hillside home of Kid Rock. The entertainer who is an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump posted videos on social media. Each shows a helicopter hovering alongside his swimming pool while he claps, salutes and raises his fist in the air. The Nashville skyline can be seen in the background. A spokesman for the 101st Airborne at nearby Fort Campbell says they're reviewing the maneuvers and will take “appropriate action” if violations are found.
Charlie Kirk highway got vetoed in Arizona. Elected officials are citing politics
There will be no Charlie Kirk highway in his home state of Arizona. And elected officials are pointing to politics as the reason. Republican lawmakers in Arizona had passed a bill to name a highway loop around Phoenix after the conservative activist who was assassinated last year. But Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the legislation. Hobbs suggested Republicans had injected politics into a naming decision that should have been left to a state board. Republican state Senate President Warren Petersen says Hobbs practiced politics by refusing to recognize the impact that Kirk had on society. More than 20 states are considering bills honoring Kirk.
Chesney the kangaroo scales tall fence and flees petting zoo for three days on the lam
Chesney the kangaroo jumped an eight-foot fence to escape his petting zoo in Wisconsin, spending three days on the lam. The young marsupial was spooked by stray dogs and went on the run last week. Sleepless nights followed for his keeper, Debbie Marland, before Chesney quietly approached a group of searchers Saturday and was back home. Chesney and his kangaroo mate Kenny are among 25 animals — including alpacas, highland cows and a camel — at Sunshine Farm, a petting zoo in Necedah, Wisconsin, that's open in the warmer months. Chesney was tired and hungry but appeared healthy when recaptured. Marland says she'll install a mesh top on his enclosure to prevent more high-jumping hijinks.
Disney's new CEO opens World of Frozen in Paris as he showcases the empire that made him
CHESSY, France (AP) — Disneyland Paris has opened a huge new “Frozen” land as the centerpiece of a major park makeover. Disney unveiled World of Frozen on Sunday and renamed Walt Disney Studios Park as Disney Adventure World. The opening gives new CEO Josh D’Amaro his first big international moment since taking the top job in March. The expansion is the biggest in the resort’s 34-year history. In the park, guests ride Frozen Ever After, meet Anna and Elsa, see new attractions, dining and a lagoon show.
'Project Hail Mary' flies to $54.5 million second weekend, horror reaches a saturation point
NEW YORK (AP) — “Project Hail Mary” stayed aloft in its second weekend, holding strongly with $54.5 million, adding to the long-term prospects of the year’s biggest hit thus far. The Phil Lord and Chris Miller sci-fi adventure dipped only 32% after notching the best non-franchise opening weekend since 2023’s “Oppenheimer.” Amazon MGM’s yet, “Project Hail Mary” has grossed $300.8 million worldwide in two weeks. The weekend’s top new release, “They Will Kill You,” debuted with a disappointing $5 million for Warner Bros. The gory R-rated horror film starring Zazie Beetz only cost $20 million to make. But the result suggests theaters may have become oversaturated in horror.
A stranded whale in Germany’s Baltic Sea weakens as hopes of its return to the Atlantic fade
BERLIN (AP) — A stranded humpback whale in Germany’s Baltic Sea looks weaker, and experts fear it won't be able to find its way back to the Atlantic. On Sunday, officials set up a 500-meter restricted zone so the whale could rest and try to free itself. Mecklenburg-Pomerania environment minister Till Backhaus says the whale seems sick and may have injuries from a fishing net. Rescuers have already freed it several times this week with boats and even an excavator, but it kept getting stranded. Scientists now report low activity and slower breathing.
