America Today Staff 
A San Diego woman has pleaded guilty to concealing the death of her father-in-law — a U.S. military veteran — for more than six years in order to illegally receive over $175,000 in government and private retirement benefits, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. Josephine Guinauli Aquino, 64, admitted in federal court that she intentionally hid the … Read more
A Bloomington U.S. Postal Service mail carrier has been arrested after authorities discovered trash bags filled with opened mail and packages, leading to an investigation that revealed years of theft. The 57-year-old woman, a USPS employee since 2014, was arrested on Nov. 25 and charged with one felony count of official misconduct and 31 misdemeanor … Read more
Indiana’s rapidly expanding hemp sector is bracing for major changes after federal lawmakers approved a nationwide ban on most hemp-derived products as part of the bill that ended the recent 43-day government shutdown. The provision, set to take effect in November 2026, targets products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, effectively … Read more
As the 2026 legislative session prepares to begin next week, one lawmaker is set to introduce a bill that would end marriage for minors in the state. Across the U.S., there is no federal ban on child marriage, leaving the issue to individual states. Sixteen states and Washington, D.C., have enacted laws prohibiting marriage under … Read more
An Indiana father who tortured his 6-year-old son for months before beating him to death will spend decades behind bars after a judge rejected his plea for leniency. Franklin Elmore Jr. initially claimed that his son, Justin Elmore, caused his own fatal injuries. Justin was rushed to the hospital on August 3 after becoming unresponsive, … Read more
As the holiday season approaches, Illinois shoppers are preparing for the usual surge in online purchases and virtual activity. State agencies are urging residents to be alert to the increased risk of cyber scams during this busy period. The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of … Read more
A 17-year-old male juvenile has been charged with multiple felonies and a misdemeanor after allegedly assaulting a 65-year-old man and stealing property from a business earlier this month, according to the Chicago Police Department. Authorities say the charges include one felony count of aggravated battery of a victim over 60, aggravated battery of a merchant, … Read more
Patients Choice Laboratories (PCL), a diagnostic lab based in Indianapolis, has agreed to a $9.62 million settlement over allegations of violating the False Claims Act and engaging in kickback schemes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. PCL was accused of billing Medicare for unnecessary respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) tests … Read more
A small single-engine plane flipped at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport in Benton Harbor. Two people were on board the plane. Both managed to exit on their own, though one was taken to the hospital with cuts. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Some speculate that gusty winds may have contributed … Read more
Walmart on Franklin Street has returned to normal operations after a bomb threat was reported. The Michigan City Police Department responded to the Walmart Supercenter following the threat. Officers, with support from the Porter County Bomb Squad and LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department K9 Division, found no bomb or credible danger. The Detective Bureau continued its … Read more