SUMMARY: President Biden pledged federal assistance following his visit to Hurricane Helen’s devastation in North Carolina. The National Guard is actively delivering supplies and rescuing individuals in the remote Blue Ridge Mountains. At least 180 fatalities have been reported across six states, with many more missing. Additionally, crowdsource rescue groups, established after Hurricane Harvey, have dispatched over 100 volunteers to assist in North Carolina. They have conducted welfare checks on around 600 individuals but note significant efforts are still needed in the recovery process.

At least 180 people have been reported dead in the storm’s aftermath.

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SUMMARY: Brandon Seveta was found not guilty of his son Benjamin’s starvation death by a jury, leading to heightened emotions in the courtroom. Seveta, accused of causing the 2021 death of four-year-old Benjamin, expressed his desire for peace, having faced accusations that labeled him a monster. The child’s stepmother, Miranda Cassetes, had previously been convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Seveta’s attorney criticized the investigation, claiming the detective conducted insufficient witness interviews and overlooked crucial evidence. Following the verdict, Seveta expressed relief and a longing to reunite with his other children. The jury declined to comment after their decision.

A jury on Wednesday found a man not guilty in the starvation death of his 4-year-old son.

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SUMMARY: Houston Police have arrested four individuals in a major real estate fraud scheme involving identity theft, primarily in the Katy area. The suspects allegedly used a stolen identity to lease 13 homes, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, and then rented the properties out, some via Facebook Marketplace. Harold Doyle, a realtor with a revoked license, led the group, which included couples previously linked to a road rage incident. Authorities warn potential renters to stay cautious and avoid unverified platforms to prevent falling victim to scams, especially in Houston’s active rental market.

Four people are accused of an elaborate rental fraud scheme targeting more than a dozen Harris County properties involving a stolen identity. Two of the suspects, Benjamin and Nazly Greene, went viral in 2022 during a road rage shooting caught on camera that made national headlines. The couple is now charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.

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