News

The Department of Justice has asked a federal judge to sentence former Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison to one day in prison after his conviction for his role in the 2020 botched raid that killed Breonna Taylor in her home.

Blavity reported that a federal jury convicted Hankison, one of four officers to face charges in Taylor’s death, and the first convicted for his involvement in the raid. He was found guilty on one count of violating Taylor’s civil rights by using excessive force, firing 10 shots into Taylor’s home, with some striking a next-door neighbor’s house.

At the time, Hankison told the court he fired to protect himself and other officers after Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot at them when they entered the apartment. As officers returned fire, several bullets struck Taylor, killing her.

Hankison faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a judge will weigh in on the DOJ’s request at a scheduled sentencing next week, according to The New York Times.

DOJ official explains request in new filing

On Wednesday, Harmeet K. Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, asked the judge in the case to sentence Hankison to one day in prison and three years of supervised release.

In the request, Dhillon argued that the prosecution was excessive, pointing out that the Biden administration had convicted Hankison after he was acquitted on state charges and following a mistrial in his first federal case.

“In this case, two federal trials were ultimately necessary to obtain a unanimous verdict of guilt,” Dhillon wrote, noting that after being fired from his job, Hankison had already paid for his actions, per The New York Times.

“The jury’s verdict will almost certainly ensure that defendant Hankison never serves as a law enforcement officer again and will also likely ensure that he never legally possesses a firearm again,” the filing added.

Attorneys for Taylor’s family speak out

In addition to Hankison, former detectives Joshua Jaynes, Kelly Hanna Goodlett, and former Sgt. Kyle Meany was initially arrested and charged in the raid. Last year, the felony charges against Jaynes and Meany were dropped by a federal judge in the case, Blavity and ABC 11 reported.

Meanwhile, Hankison was fired from the Louisville Metro Police Department in June 2020.

According to the BBC, attorneys for Taylor’s family spoke out following the DOJ’s filing, calling it “an insult to the life of Breonna Taylor.”

“Every American who believes in equal justice under the law should be outraged,” attorneys said in a statement. “Recommending just one day in prison sends the unmistakable message that white officers can violate the civil rights of Black Americans with near-total impunity.”

Longtime late-night host Stephen Colbert, of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, announced the upcoming end of his show days after he ripped CBS for settling a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump.

Colbert announced to his audience that The Late Show would end next year. While CBS has portrayed the cancellation as a cost-cutting measure, many are suspicious about the decision coming just after Colbert criticized the network’s decision to settle a lawsuit Trump filed over a 60 Minutes segment.

Colbert announces ‘last season’ of ‘The Late Show,’ bringing an end to an era

During Thursday’s episode of The Late Show, Colbert said he had just learned that “next year will be our last season. The network will be ending the show in May.”

The announcement drew boos from the audience.

“Yeah, I share your feelings,” Colbert said before explaining that the entire franchise was “going away.”

🚨Big news Stephen Colbert addresses the news of The Late Show’s cancellation in tonight’s cold open. “Next year will be our last season,” Colbert told his audience tonight. “The network will be ending ‘The Late Show’ in May.” pic.twitter.com/DuVpz83teP— narne kumar06 (@narne_kumar06) July 18, 2025

The cancellation ends over three decades of late-night programming for CBS, going back to 1993 and the launch of The Late Show with David Letterman.

In a statement about the cancellation, CBS executives said, “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise.” According to the network’s statement, the cancellation “is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.  It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

Colbert had been critical of Trump and his network 

The decision to cancel The Late Show was announced only days after Colbert mocked Paramount for its decision to pay Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit the president filed over a 60 Minutes interview with then-presidential candidate and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump had alleged that the CBS news show edited the interview to make Harris look better and boost her chances in the 2024 election. The executive producer of 60 Minutes later quit the show, and one of its lead anchors criticized Paramount over what they characterized as increased scrutiny over news coverage of Trump following the lawsuit. Colbert said during his monologue that this was a “nuisance lawsuit,” and “Paramount knows they could have easily fought it because in their own words, ‘The lawsuit is completely without merit.’” 

Colbert also referred to a news report about his show, which stated that the upcoming sale of CBS and a desire by its new owners to accommodate Trump might “put pressure on late-night host and frequent Trump critic Stephen Colbert.”

Good morning and Happy Friday to everyone who agrees that it was a bullshit move for CBS to cancel Stephen Colbert’s show just days after he called out their parent company Paramount for bending the knee to trump.I stand with Stephen Colbert.🙏💪pic.twitter.com/ydvyhhlCG1— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) July 18, 2025

Many people have questioned the decision to cancel Colbert’s show, suspecting political and not just financial motivations for doing so. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., expressed her suspicion about the timing of the cancellation.

“CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery,” Warren posted on X, formerly Twitter. “America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”

CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery.America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.Watch and share his message. pic.twitter.com/Rz7HcWFLYM— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 18, 2025

The Trump administration placed pressure on news outlets through lawsuits, including the one filed against CBS. Late last year, ABC News and journalist George Stephanopoulos agreed to pay Trump $15 million to settle a suit the president filed for defamation after he repeatedly stated that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a case filed by E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her years ago.

It appears that Trump will continue to use legal and financial threats against news outlets criticizing him; he is currently threatening to sue The Wall Street Journal over a story concerning his relationship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Many people see these suits as methods of intimidation, and Colbert’s cancellation may be evidence that this tactic of Trump’s is working.

In a Truth Social post Friday morning, Trump mentioned, “I absolutely love that Colbert’ got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show,” referring to Jimmy Fallon.

Social Security is a vital safety net for retirees, older adults and people with disabilities. However, recent reports indicate that its trust fund will run out within the next few years, leaving many who depend on it uncertain about their financial future.

Since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, the Social Security Administration has announced several changes that have already affected beneficiaries. From the Department of Government Efficiency’s push to crack down on overpayments to massive staffing cuts, these shifts have led to delays in processing claims, reduced customer service, and growing concern among recipients about the program’s stability.

Social Security changes for recipients

CBS News reported that seniors who rely on these payments may need to explore alternative financial sources for additional income. Making ends meet is already challenging for everyone, but older adults have even more limited options. However, there is some financial relief for this group.

How can seniors save their money?

Here are three ways seniors can supplement their income:

Reverse mortgages allow homeowners 62 and older to receive monthly payments from their home equity, with repayment deferred until the home is sold or the owner passes away, helping seniors to supplement their Social Security income without incurring more debt.

Annuities can be another stable option. By investing a lump sum with a provider, seniors can receive guaranteed monthly income for life, providing financial security regardless of any changes.

Personal loans can potentially take on more debt with higher interest rates, but they can still be a better option than credit cards.

Older adults preparing for retirement have many factors to consider when determining the maximum amount of income they will have after their careers. According to 24/7 Wall St., Social Security can provide these individuals with some retirement benefits, but it only replaces 40% of their pre-retirement income. Some ways to help preserve finances are to explore their employer’s 401(k) options, save raises, cut back on expenses, and even consider having a side job.

Bishop T.D. Jakes isn’t backing down on his claims that AI bots played a major role in spreading false allegations about him concerning Sean “Diddy” Combs. The pastor was the latest guest on John Hope Bryant’s Money and Wealth podcast. During the episode, which dropped on July 14, Jakes spoke about dealing with the rumors about his participation in Combs’ infamous “freak-offs.” The accusations started swirling around ahead of Combs’ sex trafficking trial.

T.D. Jakes says 44,000 AI bots were behind false rumors connecting him to Diddy

As Bryant noted that clickbait needs to stop, Jakes interjected, saying, “When that first broke out, it was 44,000 bots that were released on me.”

Jakes claimed that 98 percent were AI-generated, stating, “We have got to stop getting our information on TikTok.”

He added, “If there were anything there, the FBI would’ve been in it. There’s no hiding it.”

Jakes used his medical issue that occurred in November 2024 during a sermon as an example of how facts presented in real life differ from fictional narratives.

“It’s like when I had my health scare—within seconds, it was all over the world, you wouldn’t have to find it on Instagram, you wouldn’t have to find it on YouTube,” he said. “You would find it in the six o’clock news.”

T.D. Jakes sued Google over false allegations about his participation in Diddy’s ‘freak-offs’

The accusation of fake profiles posting misinformation isn’t new. As Blavity reported in December 2024, Jakes took legal action against Google and YouTube, filing a motion in California federal court to reveal those behind AI-generated videos falsely linking him to Combs.

Jakes’ team argued that these misleading clips, which claimed he resigned over sex abuse allegations, have spread widely and amassed millions of views. They also claimed that it has damaged Jakes’ reputation, and the creators have financially benefited from the misinformation.

The motion seeks a subpoena to compel Google to release account information that could reveal the perpetrators, who are suspected of operating from countries like South Africa, Pakistan, the Philippines and Kenya. YouTube’s embrace of AI content is under scrutiny by Jakes as he and his legal counsel confront the platform’s role in enabling and monetizing digitally manipulated defamation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a nationwide recall of a substantial quantity of deodorant at major retailers on Tuesday due to issues with manufacturing standards.

A.P. Deauville, LLC, of Easton, Pennsylvania, initiated the voluntary recall of more than 67,000 cases of Power Stick deodorants on July 10, linked to deviations from current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), according to the FDA.

The recall affects three types of Power Stick deodorant products that the company distributed nationwide to popular retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, Dollar Tree and Dollar General.

What are the affected deodorant items?

Here are the following Power Stick products recalled:

#Product DescriptionRecall NumberClassificationCode InformationProduct QuantityReason for Recall1Power Stick for her roll-on Antiperspirant Deodorant Powder Fresh, 1.8 oz / 53 mL UPC: 815195019313 NDC: 42913-038-00N/ANot Yet ClassifiedLot # 032026B011, 032226B031, 051626C241, 061526C882, 071226D371, 071226D381, 082526E341, 082826E40221,265 casescGMP deviations2Power Stick Invisible Protection Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant Spring Fresh, 1.8 oz / 53 mL UPC: 815195018194 NDC: 42913-039-00N/ANot Yet ClassifiedLot # 031726A991, 041226B561, 062026C901, 062026C911, 071026D351, 071026D361, 071326D391, 111626G23122,482 casescGMP deviations3Power Stick Original Nourishing Invisible Protection Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant, 1.8 oz / 53 mL UPC: 815195018224 NDC: 42913-040-00N/ANot Yet ClassifiedLot # 101225D781, 032926B281, 032826B221, 041126B531, 062226D011, 070626D301, 070626D333, 111026G051, 111326G091, 111626G22123,400 cases*cGMP deviations

Customers who purchased these products should stop using them immediately and contact the company for further instructions, Local 12 News reported.

A.P. Deauville acquired the Power Stick brand from Unilever and established a production facility in Easton, Pennsylvania, where it develops high-quality products, including Power Stick and Soft Whisper, for women, as stated on the company’s website.

Can deodorant cause breast cancer?

Over the years, consumers have become more health-conscious about the types of food they buy, as well as the beauty products they use on their skin. When it comes to deodorant products, concerned consumers say the ingredients used to combat underarm odor and perspiration are worth examining.

Parabens, chemicals used to preserve food, makeup and skin care products, are thought by some to be a potential health concern because lab studies show they mimic estrogen, a hormone linked to breast cell growth, according to the American Cancer Society. Increased estrogen exposure has been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

Aluminum is the active ingredient in most deodorant brands that blocks sweat glands and may be absorbed through the skin, the organization said. Some researchers believe it may affect estrogen receptors in breast cells, potentially increasing breast cancer risk.

“While the research on this topic is limited, most studies have not found a link between antiperspirant use and the development of breast cancer,” the organization stated in a separate report.

SZA took a public stance against the use of artificial intelligence on Wednesday, citing that the technology contributes to environmental racism. She called out the pollution generated by AI and its impact on Black and brown communities in the U.S. Her sentiment echoes previous investigations on the issue, as well as activists who have raised the alarm on the impact of AI on the environment.

SZA said she is ‘deeply concerned’ about AI

On Wednesday, SZA took to social media to express her thoughts on the technology and the way it is being developed.

“Please google how much energy and pollution it takes to run Ai,” she wrote in a comment on Instagram, which she then shared on her Story, according to Billboard. “Please google the beautiful black cities like Memphis that are SUFFERING because of twitters new Ai system.”

“PLEASE JUST GOOGLE ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM,” she added. “AI doesn’t give a f–k if you live or die I promise. THERE IS A PRICE FOR CONVENIENCE AND BLACK AND BROWN [people] WILL PAY THE BRUNT OF IT EVERY-TIME.”

The day before, SZA had already used her public platform to raise the issue: “AI is killing and polluting Black and Brown cities. None of you care ‘cause [you’re] codependent on a machine. Have a great life,” she said, according to Complex.

“I really meant this and I’m deeply concerned .. pls care,” she concluded, according to Rolling Stone.

AI has been subject to debate in recent years

Its use and role have been questioned in relation to education, mental health and the creative industries. Although the ethics of AI are a topic of discussion, studies have shown that the development of artificial intelligence data centers poses a risk to the environment. These centers run on high amounts of water and “a staggering amount of electricity, which leads to increased carbon dioxide emissions and pressures on the electric grid,” according to MIT.

SZA also referred to the issue as being a form of environmental racism, which is defined by the Natural Resources Defense Council as “the intentional siting of polluting and waste facilities in communities primarily populated by African Americans, Latines, Indigenous People, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, migrant farmworkers, and low-income workers.”

In her comments, SZA made a reference to the installation of an artificial intelligence facility in Memphis last year by Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI. Not only was the facility found to be one of the largest air polluters in the county, but it is also located near historically Black neighborhoods that have already been affected by high rates of cancer, asthma and shortened life spans, according to The Guardian. Boxtown is one of the communities that has been faced with poor air quality due to a nearby industrial plant, as well as emissions from a facility that did not receive the proper permits, per the NAACP.

“We cannot afford to normalize this kind of environmental injustice, where billion-dollar companies set up polluting operations in Black neighborhoods without any permits and think they’ll get away with it,” NAACP president Derrick Johnson told The New York Times.

Republicans on a key committee in the House of Representatives have blocked an effort by Democrats to release more information related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died while in prison for sex crimes. The vote comes despite demand from within the MAGA movement to release the so-called Epstein files and anger at the Trump administration from its own base over the case.

Republicans reverse course on Epstein files after pushing theories

In a 5-7 vote, Republicans in the House Rules Committee blocked an effort by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California to force Attorney General Pam Bondi to release files and information relating to the Epstein case. In an amendment to a bill on cryptocurrency, Khanna would have forced Bondi to publicize information held by the government on a “publicly accessible website.” Democrats on the committee voted in favor of the amendment to release the Epstein files, while all Republicans except two voted against the amendment; Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina voted with Democrats in favor of Khanna’s amendment, while Rep. Chip Roy of Texas abstained.

The vote by Republicans to block the release of the Epstein files comes after the Trump administration recently contradicted previous MAGA rhetoric about the files. For years, prominent MAGA figures have pushed rumors and speculation concerning a supposed “client list” from Epstein, who had many rich and famous friends and associates while he engaged in the sexual exploitation of underage girls. Former right-wing media personality and current Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino was a leading voice in promoting conspiracy theories about the Epstein list and about the financier’s death, which was formally ruled a suicide. Many MAGA faithful have speculated that Democratic or liberal celebrities may be named in the files. Earlier this year, Bondi told Fox News that the files were “sitting on my desk” and that information would be released soon.

MAGA supporters accuse Trump, others of covering up Epstein files

However, Bondi and the FBI have now said that Epstein did in fact die by suicide and that no client list actually exists, leading to accusations of a cover-up. Bongino has reportedly stopped coming into work and has told associates that he may resign from his role at the FBI. The Department of Justice and FBI attempted to quell outrage by releasing prison surveillance footage from the night when Epstein died, but analysis that the video had been edited and was missing a minute of footage have only added to accusations of a conspiracy to hide the truth about Epstein.

MAGA outrage over what they see as a cover-up has reached President Donald Trump. The president posted on his Truth Social platform backing Bondi, accusing Democrats of pushing the idea of the Epstein files, and calling on his supporters to “not waste time” on the files. This has led to an unusual backlash, with MAGA supporters accusing the president and his aides of “gaslighting” them concerning the files.

An unusual sight: President Trump is getting ratio’d on Truth Social for asking his followers to move on from the Epstein files. Some say he’s “gaslighting,” others say it will cost him supporters or even “kill MAGA.” A sampling of some replies getting heavy engagement. pic.twitter.com/TQY2yBkuGN— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) July 13, 2025

The idea of the Trump administration covering up the Epstein list has fueled rumors that Trump — who was a friend of Epstein for years but has denied any involvement in illegal activity — could be implicated in the files. In June, former Trump adviser Elon Musk claimed that Trump was in the Epstein files after the two billionaires had a falling out.

Now, Trump and his officials, such as Bondi, are trying to endure the anger of their previous supporters within the MAGA movement. By seeming to contradict years of rhetoric, innuendo and promises about the Epstein files, Trump and his allies have drawn criticism from his MAGA base, unlike any that Trump has faced since becoming president. And despite Trump’s desire for his supporters to move on from the Epstein scandal, Democrats do not appear to be willing to let Trump drop the issue.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that a flight carrying immigrants from multiple countries landed in Eswatini, a nation in southern Africa. The deportation marks the latest move by the Trump administration after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted restrictions on sending migrants to third countries.

In late June, the Supreme Court allowed the administration to resume third-country deportations, allowing the removal of migrants to nations where they have no ties and without requiring proof of potential harm, advancing the administration’s broader crackdown on mass deportations, The Guardian reported.

DHS spokesperson speaks out about migrant deportees

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin named five deportees from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen, all of whom were convicted of violent crimes ranging from child rape to murder.

“A safe third country deportation flight to Eswatini in Southern Africa has landed— This flight took individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,” McLaughlin said late Tuesday in a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“These depraved monsters have been terrorizing American communities,” she added, but they are now “off of American soil.”

NEW: a safe third country deportation flight to Eswatini in Southern Africa has landed— This flight took individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back.These depraved monsters have been terrorizing American communities but thanks to @POTUS… pic.twitter.com/TsanIX8H4T— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) July 16, 2025

In the post, McLaughlin included photos of the men, the crimes for which they were convicted, and their prison sentences. She also said the Cuban deportee was a “convicted Latin King street gang member.”

Where is the Eswatini Government holding the deported men?

On Wednesday, Eswatini officials said the deported men—described as “prisoners” and “inmates”—were being held in isolated units and would eventually be returned to their home countries, The Associated Press reported.

“The Kingdom of Eswatini and the United States of America have enjoyed fruitful bilateral relations spanning over five decades. As such, every agreement entered into is done with meticulous care and consideration, putting the interests of both nations at the forefront,” the Eswatini government said in a post on X.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a nation of 1.2 million people located between South Africa and Mozambique. It is Africa’s last absolute monarchy, ruled by King Mswati III since 1986, according to the AP.

Migrant deportees were sent to other African countries

On July 4, the U.S. deported eight migrants to another African country, South Sudan, after holding them for weeks in a converted shipping container at a military base in Djibouti. The men had initially boarded a flight in May, which was later diverted, The Guardian reported.

Tom Homan, the U.S. border chief, said last week he was unsure where those men were located after being deported: “If we removed somebody to Sudan, they could stay there a week and leave, I don’t know.”

In early July, a top Trump administration official stated in a memo that ICE could remove migrants and deport them to third countries than their homelands within a six-hour notice.

A 911 outage is a disruption in emergency call services where individuals are unable to reach dispatchers by dialing 9-1-1. Alternatively, a 911 outage can be a situation where calls connect without crucial information like one’s location or phone number. These outages can range from short-lived technical glitches to statewide failures. Situations like this obviously pose a pretty significant risk to public safety. And the topic has gained widespread attention recently due to a significant 911 service disruption in Pennsylvania in July 2025.

This outage impacted emergency response capabilities across multiple counties. However, as more states transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911), which is designed to handle not just voice but also texts and multimedia, the complexities of these systems have introduced new vulnerabilities. This has made outages much more frequent and visible, leaving people wondering: What is a 911 outage, and how can I be prepared to deal with one?

How does a 911 outage happen?

911 outages can happen for a multitude of reasons and as Rapid SOS reports, they have even occurred more often in recent years. They are often related to the underlying infrastructure that connects emergency calls to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). One common cause is a failure in the voice or call handling systems that dispatchers rely on to manage incoming calls. If this software or its associated hardware crashes, it can prevent calls from being answered properly. Another cause is a breakdown in network infrastructure. For example, damage to fiber optic cables or configuration errors by telecom providers can block calls from reaching emergency services. 

Modern NG911 systems also rely heavily on internet-based technologies, so a bug in the software or an overloaded system can lead to service interruptions. Even security systems meant to protect against cyberattacks, such as firewalls, have inadvertently blocked emergency traffic in the past. Overall, the shift to NG911 brings improved features, but it also increases the risk of technical issues that can disrupt service. 

What happens when 911 is down? 

When 911 services go down, the consequences can be very serious and almost immediate. In some cases, calls may fail to connect entirely, which leaves callers without any type of access to emergency services. This creates dangerous delays in response, particularly if callers cannot describe their circumstances. In that case, emergency response teams may have to rely on less efficient methods of locating callers in distress, which would cost precious time. However, there are systems in place that are supposed to support operations in that case. Per Rapid SOS, “Tools like RapidSOS UNITE Jurisdiction View offer ECCs a way to continue receiving critical 911 call information, even when traditional systems are compromised.”

During large outages, authorities often issue public alerts advising people to use alternate non-emergency numbers. But public confusion can also add another layer of risk, especially if people are unaware of the outage or are unsure of how to reach help in its absence. These situations underscore the need for backup communication methods and widespread public awareness during any emergency call system failure. 

What caused the 911 outage in PA?

On July 11, 2025, Pennsylvania experienced a widespread service disruption that began around 2 PM. This 911 outage occurred in Delaware County and soon affected multiple parts of the state, as Whyy.org shares. Callers were either unavailable to connect to 911 or they reached dispatchers but critical data like their phone number or location was not provided. This outage prompted state officials to issue Wireless Emergency Alerts, advising residents to use non-emergency phone numbers if they needed help. 

According to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the outage was not the result of a cyberattack or even a recent software update. Instead, it was traced to a technical malfunction in the NG911 vendor’s system. As reported, “PEMA engaged with NG911 contract provider Comtech Telecommunications Corp. and all 61 Pennsylvania Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs, commonly called 911 centers) via conference line for the duration of the intermittent outages to maintain real-time situational awareness and facilitate troubleshooting.”

Ultimately, service was gradually restored throughout the evening, and full functionality returned around midnight. Yet while the immediate issue was resolved, the incident highlights the growing pains associated with modernizing emergency infrastructure.  

Can a 911 call fail?

Yes, unfortunately, 911 calls can fail and they do so for many different reasons. A technical malfunction is a pretty common reason, but overloaded systems also happen. During high-volume events like natural disasters or just large-scale accidents, an overload in calls can lead to delayed or even dropped calls. 

Then there is the issue of cellular service, as Techxplore reports, “The researchers discovered that in locations with weak cellular signals but strong Wi-Fi signals, the problematic network selection can prevent 90% of emergency calls from reaching PSAPs within 2 minutes, compared to just 5.85 seconds for non-emergency calls in the same locations.” So these failures are not even rare, which is further complicated by emergency systems growing more complex and demand increasing. 

For example, in the case of system overloads during widespread emergencies, many accidental emergency calls can also make an impact. “Butt dials” still clog up emergency lines and delay responses to real emergencies. In fact, in some regions, accidental calls make up nearly half of all 911 traffic. As the Federal Communications Commission reports, “50 percent or more are the result of pocket dialing. […] It would mean that approximately 84 million 911 calls a year are pocket dials. This is a huge waste of resources, raises the cost of 911 services, depletes PSAP morale and increases the risk that legitimate 911 calls and first responders will be delayed.” So there are a lot of complications that impact emergency services and lead to 911 calls failing. But one thing is for sure – even a short-term outage can have life-or-death consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there so many power outages in PA?

Many power outages occur in PA due to recurrent severe weather, including high winds and thunderstorms. However, according to the PA Public Utility Commission, vegetation has been the leading cause of outages since 2015.

Why does 911 want you to stay on the line?

In an emergency, 911 likely wants you to stay on the line to determine your location. But in the case of a butt dial, staying on the line to inform the operator it was a mistake is wise since a callback will be initiated to make sure you are okay. 

How many calls a day does 911 get?

According to the National Emergency Number Association, around 240 million calls are made to 911 in the U.S. each year.

Dan Rivera, a Connecticut-based paranormal investigator and a handler of the renowned Annabelle doll, died over the weekend. He was 54.

The New England Society for Psychic Research confirmed Rivera’s death in a Facebook post Tuesday, praising his efforts to educate the public about paranormal activity.

“It’s with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time,” the statement read.

What caused Dan Rivera’s death?

Rivera, the NESPR’s lead investigator and a U.S. Army veteran, died on Sunday in his hotel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as he was in town for the research organization’s sold-out “Devils on the Run Tour.”

Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner Scott Pennewill discussed the circumstances of Rivera’s death and confirmed that an autopsy had been conducted.

“His death was nothing suspicious,” Pennewill told Today.com. “The coroner’s office and the state police were called to the scene on Sunday night … he did go for an autopsy today and it’s pending.”

Rivera’s autopsy results will be available within 60 to 90 days.

Where was the Annabelle doll?

Pennewill also told the outlet that the Annabelle doll was not with Rivera at the time of his death. He said it may have been in a van in the hotel parking lot, but he could not confirm its exact location.

Who was Dan Rivera?

The Gettysburg stop of the tour, held at the Soldiers National Orphanage, sold out with more than 1,260 tickets sold over three days, concluding on Sunday. Rivera helped draw international attention to the tour through viral TikTok videos with fellow investigator Ryan Daniel Buell, garnering millions of views as they showcased the doll across the country, The Evening Sun reported.

Rivera was fascinated by paranormal activity and opened an investigation company after serving in the U.S. Army. The late paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren mentored him for several years. She and her husband founded the NESPR in 1952. They were known for investigating cases like the Amityville house, the Enfield Poltergeist, and the Annabelle doll, which inspired the Conjuring film series. By 2023, this series had become the world’s highest-grossing horror franchise, securing its legacy in pop culture.