From the desk of Rich Stephens
News for the week ending 4-25-26
Below find the expanded text from tonight’s broadcast. For corrections or additions, contact Rich directly.
Top Story
Eight Children Killed in Shreveport Domestic Violence Shooting
On Sunday, April 19, eight children were killed in a domestic violence shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The children ranged in age from 3 to 11. Seven were fathered by the shooter, Shamar Elkins.
The violence began after a domestic dispute inside a home on West 79th Street. He is believed to have shot his wife before killing seven children inside the house.
During the attack, a woman and two children escaped to the roof. One child was killed as the shooter pursued them. The others survived.
A second shooting followed at another home, where a woman was injured.
The shooter then carjacked a vehicle and fled into Bossier City. Police located him a short time later, and he died during a shootout with officers.
The incident is being treated as a domestic violence case, with multiple scenes and surviving victims still under investigation.
Shreveport Police timeline and victim identifications
Caddo Parish District Attorney statement
DOJ Bossier Parish firearms charge
Current Events
D4vd Charged With Capital Murder in Death of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
On April 20, Los Angeles County prosecutors charged musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, with capital murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
This was not a guilty plea or sentencing. Burke appeared in court later that day, and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. He was ordered held without bail.
Celeste disappeared after going to Burke’s Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025.
Her remains were found on September 8 in the front trunk of a car registered to Burke. The car had been impounded after it was reported abandoned.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney charged Burke with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The murder charge includes special-circumstance allegations. Prosecutors allege the murder involved lying in wait, financial gain, and killing a witness.
The DA says Burke killed Celeste after she threatened to expose criminal conduct that could damage his music career.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Celeste’s death a homicide caused by multiple penetrating injuries.
LAPD says the case took months because Celeste’s remains were badly decomposed, evidence had degraded, and investigators were working through digital and forensic evidence.
Burke is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will seek death.
Full press conference and arraignment video
Los Angeles County District Attorney statement
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner statement
Four Arrested in Florida Immigration Fraud Case
On Tuesday, April 22, four people were arrested in Orange County, Florida after investigators say they ran a fraudulent immigration services business that collected more than $20 million from victims.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says Legacy Imigra promoted itself as a full-service immigration agency with attorneys handling immigration and asylum claims.
Investigators say that was false.
The Sheriff’s Office says the business targeted mostly Brazilian nationals, charged major fees, improperly filed applications, created email accounts in victims’ names, and withheld immigration documents unless victims paid more money.
The arrested suspects are Vagner Soares De Almeida, Juliana Colucci, Ronaldo Decampos, and Lucas Felipe Trindade Silva.
The case involved the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office statement
Orange County Sheriff’s Office press conference
EF4 Tornado Hits Enid, Oklahoma
On Thursday, April 23, an EF4 tornado hit Enid, Oklahoma.
The National Weather Service says the tornado was on the ground from 8:11 to 8:48 p.m. local time and traveled 9.5 miles through Garfield County.
The City of Enid says the tornado damaged parts of Vance Air Force Base and the Gray Ridge neighborhood.
NWS lists 10 injuries and no deaths.
The City of Enid says it was the first tornado of that strength in Garfield County since April 1991.
Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for Garfield and Kay counties after severe weather, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding began Thursday.
Recovery efforts are underway, and officials are asking residents to stay out of damaged areas while crews restore power, clear debris, and assess damage.
City of Enid tornado relief resources
Oklahoma Emergency Management update
Teen Killed In Mall Of Louisiana Shooting
A 17-year-old girl was killed Thursday, April 23, in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge Police said shots were fired at 1:22 p.m. from the food court area of the mall. Chief TJ Morse said a BRPD officer assigned to the mall and an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy were nearby and ran toward the gunfire.
The victim killed was Martha Elizabeth Odom, 17, of Lafayette. Police also identified Donnie Gillery, 43, as critically injured and undergoing surgery.
On Friday, BRPD announced the arrest of 17-year-old Markel Lee. Police said Lee turned himself in and was arrested for first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a weapon.
Police are still asking for help identifying another suspect wanted in connection with the shooting. Other people detained after the shooting were released for now, pending further investigation.
BRPD said the shooting was not random. The chief said two groups met at the mall, exchanged words, pulled guns, and innocent people were hit.
Officials discussed gang violence broadly during the press conference, but BRPD said it was too early to say whether this specific shooting was gang-related.
Additional press conference video
Missing USF Students Case Leads To Murder Charges
Two University of South Florida students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, have been missing since April 23.
Hillsborough County deputies said both, age 27, were listed as missing and endangered. On Friday, April 24, Limon’s body was found near the Howard Frankland Bridge, and the search for Bristy continues.
Hillsborough County deputies say Limon’s roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, was taken into custody Friday after barricading himself inside a residence during a domestic violence call.
He was initially charged with offenses including unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery.
On Saturday, April 25, deputies said he is now facing two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon in the deaths of Limon and Bristy.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office update
HCSO missing and endangered notice
Politics
Trump Signs Executive Order to Accelerate Psychedelic Drug Research
On April 18, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate research, review, and possible approval of psychedelic drugs for serious mental illness.
The order, titled “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness,” directs the FDA to provide National Priority Vouchers for qualifying psychedelic drugs that have received Breakthrough Therapy designation. It also directs FDA and DEA to establish a Right to Try pathway for eligible patients to access investigational psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds.
The order directs HHS to allocate $50 million through ARPA-H to match state investments in psychedelic research. It also directs HHS and FDA to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the private sector to expand clinical trial participation and evidence generation.
The White House framed the order around serious mental illness and veteran suicide. The White House fact sheet says more than 14 million American adults have a serious mental illness, and that for more than 20 years, there have been more than 6,000 veteran suicides per year.
At the White House event, Joe Rogan said he sent Trump information about ibogaine and that Trump responded, “Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.”
On April 24, FDA announced follow-up action. The agency said it is issuing priority vouchers for companies studying psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, psilocybin for major depressive disorder, and methylone for PTSD. FDA also said it is allowing an early phase clinical study of noribogaine hydrochloride for alcohol use disorder.
FDA said the noribogaine decision allows the study to proceed, but does not mean the drug has been approved or found safe or effective.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Resigns After Federal Indictment and House Ethics Findings
Former Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress after the House Ethics Committee found 25 counts proven and scheduled a sanctions hearing that could have led to a recommendation for discipline or expulsion.
Cherfilus-McCormick announced the resignation in a statement posted Tuesday, calling the process a “witch hunt” and saying she was stepping away to focus on fighting the criminal case.
The criminal case began in November, when a federal grand jury in Miami indicted Cherfilus-McCormick, her brother Edwin Cherfilus, Nadege Leblanc, and David Kofi Spencer.
According to the Justice Department, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother worked through Trinity Healthcare Services on a FEMA-funded COVID vaccination staffing contract in 2021. Prosecutors allege the company received a $5 million overpayment in July 2021 and that the defendants conspired to steal the money.
The indictment alleges the funds were routed through multiple accounts to hide their source. Prosecutors say a substantial portion was used to support Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants.
The indictment also alleges Cherfilus-McCormick and Leblanc arranged straw-donor contributions by sending money to friends and relatives, who then donated to the campaign as if the money were their own.
Cherfilus-McCormick and Spencer are also accused of conspiring to file a false federal tax return. DOJ says the indictment alleges political spending and personal expenses were falsely claimed as business deductions, and charitable contributions were inflated to reduce tax obligations.
The indictment seeks forfeiture of a $5,007,271.50 money judgment and a roughly 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring.
The House Ethics Committee separately released a Statement of Alleged Violations. That document said Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign reported more than $6.2 million in loans from her during the 2021–2022 cycle, but investigators alleged the campaign misreported loans, failed to report contributions, and received improper corporate contributions.
On April 10, the Ethics Committee said its adjudicatory subcommittee found Counts 1 through 15 and 17 through 26 proven by clear and convincing evidence. The full committee scheduled an April 21 hearing to determine what sanction to recommend to the House.
Cherfilus-McCormick resigned before that hearing.
House Ethics Statement of Alleged Violations
House Ethics April 10 statement
Cherfilus-McCormick resignation statement
Southern Poverty Law Center Indicted Over Alleged Payments to Extremist Sources
The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted Tuesday, April 21. Federal prosecutors allege the nonprofit used donor money to secretly pay sources inside extremist groups.
The Justice Department says a grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, charged SPLC with 11 counts, including wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering.
DOJ says the FBI investigated the case with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation.
The indictment alleges SPLC secretly funneled more than $3 million in donated funds between 2014 and 2023 to people associated with extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, United Klans of America, Unite the Right, National Alliance, National Socialist Movement, Aryan Nations-affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club, National Socialist Party of America, and American Front.
FBI Director Kash Patel said SPLC allegedly “lied to their donors” by vowing to dismantle violent extremist groups while paying leaders of those same groups. He said the investigation is ongoing “against all individuals involved.”
The Justice Department says the alleged scheme involved bank accounts connected to fictitious entities that concealed the true nature, source, ownership, and control of the money.
The government’s case is based on donor fraud. Prosecutors allege SPLC raised money by telling donors it was fighting extremist groups, while failing to disclose that some donor money was being used to pay people inside those groups.
SPLC responded in a video statement, saying the investigation appears to focus on its prior use of paid confidential informants.
The organization says those informants were used to gather intelligence on violent extremist groups and that it “frequently shared” information with local and federal law enforcement, including the FBI.
SPLC says it did not broadly disclose the use of informants in order to protect the identity and safety of the informants and their families, and says it no longer works with paid informants.
SPLC’s own financial page says the organization is supported primarily through donor contributions and receives no government funds for its efforts. SPLC reports it spent 73.9% of total expenses on program services in its last fiscal year and had a $731.9 million endowment at fiscal year end.
SPLC’s 2023 audited financial statement describes its mission as working to “dismantle white supremacy.”
The Charlottesville connection is central to the allegations because DOJ lists Unite the Right among the groups tied to the alleged payments.
DOJ says James Alex Fields Jr. killed 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injured more than 30 people at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.
Fields was later sentenced to life in prison for federal hate crimes.
SPLC has not been convicted. The charges remain allegations.
SPLC 2023 audited financial statement
DOJ Charlottesville hate-crimes release
Virginia Redistricting Amendment Voided by Court One Day After Passing
Virginia voters approved a redistricting amendment on Tuesday, April 21, but a judge voided the result the next day.
The amendment would have allowed the General Assembly to temporarily redraw congressional districts before the 2030 census under limited conditions.
On April 22, the Tazewell County Circuit Court entered final judgment in Republican National Committee v. Koski.
Judge Jack Hurley declared House Joint Resolution 6007 “void ab initio,” meaning the amendment is treated as invalid from the start. The order also declared all votes cast in the April 21 referendum “ineffective.”
The court permanently blocked the Commonwealth from certifying the election results or implementing the amendment. The order also bars the state from drawing new congressional districts, modifying precincts or pollbooks, or conducting elections under any map derived from the amendment.
The court denied the state’s request to pause the ruling while it appeals.
The Office of the Attorney General of Virginia said it will immediately appeal the decision.
Virginia’s current system keeps congressional redistricting on the standard post-census schedule using the state’s commission process unless a higher court reverses the injunction.
Tazewell Circuit Court final order
Virginia Department of Elections amendment explanation
DeSantis and Jeffries Trade Barbs Ahead of Florida Redistricting Session
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries traded barbs at press conferences this week as Florida prepares for a special session on congressional redistricting.
Jeffries was asked about possible Florida redistricting after Virginia voters approved a redistricting amendment and a judge blocked the result the next day.
“Our message to Florida Republicans is f around and find out,” Jeffries said.
He also said Democrats are “all in in Florida” and argued that Florida Republicans could put their own seats at risk if they move forward with what he called a “DeSantis dummymander.”
DeSantis responded later at a Florida press conference.
“Please be my guest,” DeSantis said. “I will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign. I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We’ll take you fishing.”
DeSantis said Jeffries campaigning in Florida would help Republicans.
The exchange comes ahead of Florida’s special legislative session, scheduled for April 28 through May 1.
A Florida Senate memo says the Senate is not drafting its own congressional map and expects a proposal from the Governor’s Office.
No Florida redistricting map has been filed yet.
Virginia Department of Elections amendment explanation
Virginia Attorney General statement
Florida Senate special session memo
Finance
Apple Announces New CEO
Monday, April 20, Apple announced that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of the board and John Ternus will become Apple’s next CEO effective September 1, 2026. Cook will stay on as CEO through the summer to help with the transition, and Apple said the move followed a long-term succession plan approved unanimously by the board. Apple also said Arthur Levinson will move from non-executive chairman to lead independent director on September 1, and Ternus will join the board the same day. Apple stock dropped Tuesday afternoon but rebounded Thursday before ending the week in a slump and closing down just $1.50 from last Friday’s close.
Markets
This week was fairly flat. The Dow Jones lost 217 points, closing at 49,230, less than half a percentage down.
NASDAQ picked up 368 points, setting a new record high and closing at 24,836 after a 1.5% gain.
The S&P500 added 39 points, closing at 7165. That represents a half percentage gain.
Gold lost $139 and futures closed trading at $4,740 Friday afternoon.
Sports
Boston Marathon
Monday, April 20 was the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. John Korir won the men’s race in 2:01:52, breaking Geoffrey Mutai’s 2011 course record and becoming a repeat champion. Sharon Lokedi repeated as women’s champion in 2:18:51, the second-fastest winning time in race history behind her own 2025 mark. Chelsea Clinton also finished the race in 3:40:52, which AP reported was a personal best.