National

SAN FRANCISCO—The San Mateo County Coroner's Office released information regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Ye Mengyuan, 16, revealing that the young teen survived the crash landing of the Boeing 777 only to be killed by a fire department truck on the scene. Coroner Robert Foucrault announced the results of the autopsy on Friday, July 19. According to the...

VANCOUVER—"Glee" star Cory Monteith was found dead in a hotel room at the Fairmount Pacific Room Hotel in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday, July 13. He was 31. According to local police, emergency personnel arrived to the scene around noon where paramedics pronounced Monteith dead. Reports indicate he had been dead for several hours when his body was discovered. Police have...

  SANFORD—George Zimmerman, 29, the man accused of murdering Trayvon Martin was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter on Saturday, July 13 by a Florida jury. The panel of six women, which was sequestered, deliberated more than 16 hours over two days until nearly 10 p.m. The jury informed Judge Debra Nelson that they found Zimmerman not guilty, and...

  UNITED STATES—On Wednesday, June 26, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act while also rejecting an appeal of California's Proposition 8, a decision that effectively allows same-sex marriage in the state of California. In a historic, controversial day at the nation's high court, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favor...

  SAN FRANCISCO—The ruling of gay marriage this past week sent people to the streets to celebrate. Hundreds of people gathered for a rally in support of same-sex marriage. San Franciscohas been known as the birthplace and center of the gay rights movement.San Franciscomayor, Edwin M. Lee, addressed a large crowd inside of City Hall while outside, supporters for gay marriage...

ROME, ITALY—James Gandolfini, best known as Tony Soprano from HBO’s “The Sopranos,” died of a sudden heart attack in Italy on Wednesday, June 19. He was in Rome on vacation with his son at the time. The actor was 51. Many celebrities have commented on the loss. Governor Chris Christie ofNew Jerseywrote on his Twitter account “a huge fan” of...

SANTA MONICA—The shooting that took place in Santa Monica on Friday, June 7, and claimed four lives is now being called a premeditated incident. Because the shooter was armed and wearing a protective vest, officials believe the shootings were planned and well-thought out beforehand. The shooter reportedly had 1,300 rounds of ammunition as well as several weapons, including some sort...

SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, June 5, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman stated that they plan to meet with several of the nation’s largest Smartphone manufacturers in an effort decreased cell phone theft. In San Francisco, where over half of robberies involve a cell phone being stolen, Gascon has asked cell phone manufacturers to...

NEW YORK—Actress Amanda Bynes appeared in court on Friday, May 24 after allegedly throwing a bong outside her midtown Manhattan apartment building. Bynes, 27, was charged with possession of marijuana, reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors requested a bail of $1,000, however, Judge Neil Ross had the actress released on her own recognizance. Bynes is scheduled to appear back...

PHOENIX, AZ—A jury found Jodi Arias, 32, guilty on one count of first-degree murder for the death of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander on Wednesday, May 8 at the Maricopa County Courthouse in Phoenix, AZ. Alexander was brutally murdered at his Meza, AZ home nearly five years ago at the age of 30. The trial, which began on January 2, caught...