Camp Mystic, site of deadly 2025 floods, will not reopen this summer

Camp Mystic, the summertime retreat for young girls where dozens died last summer in a flooding event investigators determinedcould have been avoided, will not reopen this summer.

The 700-acre private Christian summer camp for girls located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in central Texas was hit by a massive flood over the July Fourth weekend in 2025. In total,27 campers and counselorsat Camp Mystic died when deadly flash floods ripped through the area. The camp's owner and director, Richard "Dick" Eastland, also died in the flood, reportedly while trying to save campers.

Advertisement

Camp Mystic’s directors have withdrawn an application to reopen for the summer of 2026, Texas authorities confirmed to USA TODAY on April 30. The decision comes after Texas lawmakers investigating how the deadly incident determined on April 29 that "this tragedycould have been prevented."

USA TODAY has reached out to Camp Mystic for comment.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Camp Mystic, site of deadly 2025 floods, will not reopen in 2026

byAdministrator

in

May 02, 2026

Camp Mystic, site of deadly 2025 floods, will not reopen this summer

Camp Mystic, the summertime retreat for young girls where dozens died last summer in a flooding event investigators determinedcould hav...

Read More

WHO delays pandemic treaty amid pathogen-sharing dispute

May 1 (Reuters) - World Health Organization member states said on Friday they had extended talks on pathogen-sharing rules, ‌casting doubt on when a pandemic treaty adopted ‌last year can come into effect.

The talks are focused on a system intended ​to ensure countries quickly share pathogens that could cause pandemics while receiving fair access to vaccines, tests and treatments that result from their use.

Known as the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex, ‌it governs how countries ⁠share data and samples of pathogens that pose public health risks and seeks to ensure equitable ⁠access to vaccines and treatments.

Without agreement on PABS, the pandemic accord, which is intended to help the world respond more effectively ​to future ​pandemics in the wake of ​COVID-19, cannot come into ‌effect.

The World Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement in May 2025 to strengthen global prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemics.

Advertisement

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said progress had been made but urged countries to keep working with urgency, saying the next ‌pandemic was "a matter of when, not ​if."

The outcome will be presented to ​the World Health Assembly ​later in May.

The assembly will be asked ‌to allow negotiations to continue, with ​any agreement to ​be submitted to the next assembly in May 2027 or earlier at a special session in 2026.

Member states ​agreed to set ‌aside this section when adopting the main treaty last ​year after negotiations proved contentious.

(Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan in ​Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

byAdministrator

in

May 02, 2026

WHO delays pandemic treaty amid pathogen-sharing dispute

May 1 (Reuters) - World Health Organization member states said on Friday they had extended talks on pathogen-sharing rules, ‌casting do...

Read More

Maine 18-year-old charged in death of paddleboarder ruled competent to stand trial

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A judge has ruled an 18-year-old man charged with murder in the killing of apaddleboarderin Maine is competent to stand trial.

The death of Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, 48, of St. George, last year shocked the community around Crawford Pond in rural Union, Maine. Authorities charged Deven Young of Frankfort, Maine, with murder in Stewart's death in July, about two weeks after Stewart's body was discovered.

The court system has thus far treated Young as a juvenile. Prosecutors in the state want to charge Young, who was 17 at the time of Stewart's death and is 18 now, as anadult. First, he needed to be deemed competent to stand trial, and a judge ruled this week that he is.

"The court finds that the defendant is competent to proceed based on the court’s finding that the juvenile has a rational, as well as a factual, understanding of the proceedings and a sufficient present ability to consult with legal counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding," wrote Maine District Court Judge Eric J. Walker on Wednesday.

Young is due back in court on May 7. Police have said a medical examiner determined Stewart's cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma.

Advertisement

Jeremy Pratt, an attorney for Young, declined to comment on Thursday. Prosecutors in the case also declined to comment Thursday.

Authorities have not publicly stated a possible motive in the case. Court documents about the case, which were briefly made public before being removed from the state's courts website, contained little detail other than stating that Young “did intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another human being, namely Sunshine Stewart.”

Audio recordings by the Waldo County Sheriff's Office that were obtained by news agencies earlier this year provided details about Young's history of violent behavior and mental health challenges prior to Stewart's death. The Portland Press Heraldreportedthat Young had been waiting for behavioral health services from the state.

Stewart went missing at Crawford Pond, where she was paddleboarding, on July 2 and her body was found the next day. The pond is a popular summertime attraction for swimming, boating and fishing. Stewart lived about 21 miles (34 kilometers) from the pond in the Tenants Harbor neighborhood in St. George.

Stewart's friends and familycelebratedher life with a maritime service last August. The memorial included a procession of boats, some decked out with flowers, in Tenants Harbor.

On the boats were pictures of Stewart smiling and a large sign that read, “Shine On.” Over the years, Stewart worked as a fisherman, boat captain, biologist, carpenter and bartender, friends have said.

byAdministrator

in

May 02, 2026

Maine 18-year-old charged in death of paddleboarder ruled competent to stand trial

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A judge has ruled an 18-year-old man charged with murder in the killing of apaddleboarderin Maine is competent t...

Read More

Pistons escape 24-point hole vs. Magic, head home for Game 7

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points as the Detroit Pistons came back from a 24-point deficit to stun the host Orlando Magic 93-79 on Friday, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

Tobias Harris racked up 22 points and Duncan Robinson had 14 points as Detroit won its second elimination game in a row. Cunningham, Harris and teammate Ausar Thompson each grabbed 10 rebounds.

The top-seeded Pistons began the fourth quarter on an 18-1 run to build an eight-point lead and ended up outscoring Orlando 55-19 in the second half. The eighth-seeded Magic missed 23 consecutive shots from the field during one stretch covering about 15 minutes in the second half.

Game 7 is Sunday in Detroit.

Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero each scored 17 points for Orlando, and Tristan da Silva added 10 points. Banchero, who posted 45 points in Game 5, shot 4-for-20 from the field. The Magic ended up 9-for-36 (25%) on 3-point attempts.

Detroit also was the No. 1 seed in 2003, when the Pistons rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Magic in the first round.

The Magic were held to 12 points over the first 19 minutes of the second half Friday as Detroit pulled ahead at 74-72 on a pair of Harris free throws with more than seven minutes to play.

Cunningham's 3-pointer and two free throws on the next possession put the Pistons up 85-75 with less than four minutes to play. Robinson's trey was the next basket as the lead grew.

Advertisement

The Pistons, down 22 at halftime, stormed back into the game by scoring 16 of the first 20 points of the second half. Detroit then went more than 4 1/2 minutes without scoring as Orlando built the margin to 71-54, but the Pistons closed the third quarter with an 8-0 spurt capped by a Robinson layup.

The Magic shot 3-for-17 (17.6%) in the third quarter, when they scored only 11 points.

Orlando appeared to take control in the second quarter and built a 60-38 halftime lead, with Bane hitting his first three 3-point attempts.

The Pistons made only 6 of 25 attempts from the floor (28.6%) in the second quarter.

Detroit shot 10-for-19 (52.6%) from the field in the first quarter to lead 26-25. The Magic began the second quarter on a 13-2 run, which ended with Anthony Black's three-point play and Bane's inside hoop.

After a Detroit timeout, the Magic kept pouring it on to build a 17-point lead.

Orlando forward Franz Wagner missed his second game in a row because of a calf injury.

--Field Level Media

byAdministrator

in

May 02, 2026

Pistons escape 24-point hole vs. Magic, head home for Game 7

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points as the Detroit Pistons came back from a 24-point deficit to stun the host Orlando Magic 93-79 on Frida...

Read More

More than fashion: A pin worn by Venezuela's Rodríguez on state visits riles Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) —Guyanacomplained to Caribbean leaders on Tuesday after Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez wore a controversial pin during official visits depicting the map of Guyana’s western region thatVenezuelahas long claimed as its own.

The pin, which Rodríguez wore on her attire, is in the shape of Guyana’s resources-richEssequiboregion that makes up two-thirds of its territory that's atthe heart of a centuries-old territorial disputewith Venezuela, which neighbors Guyana to west.

The pin has been increasingly worn by Venezuelan government officials, state television anchors, lawmakers and members of the ruling party following the U.S. capture ofNicolás Maduroin a stunningnighttime raid on his residencein Caracas, Venezuela's capital, in early January.

In a note to Terrance Drew, the prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and chairman of a Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom,Guyanese President Irfaan Alisaid the pin asserts “Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory.”

Rodríguez wore the pin when shevisited Barbadoson Monday, and previously, during a visit to Grenada earlier in April, her first overseas trip since she took over afterMaduro's seizure.

In his note, Ali said he fears Rodríguez’s use of the pin on official trips could be misinterpreted as her hosts' “acquiescence or tolerance" of Venezuela's territorial claims.

Advertisement

“Caricom’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations but in the context and conduct of official engagements,” he added, referring to the bloc.

Venezuela has long argued that an 1899 international boundaries commission cheated it out of the area during British colonial rule. The land dispute is currently before the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

In his note, Ali also reminded the trade bloc that it has unequivocally supported Guyana’s claim to the region at key meetings and insisted Venezuela should not be allowed to display “symbols and maps” of Essequibo as it would only undermine the case before the international court.

He has also railed against the inclusion of Essequibo on official maps of Venezuela, calling it a ”calculated and provocative assertion of a claim” that Guyana has persistently rejected.

In recent years, Venezuela has sent gunboats to U.S.-runoffshore oilfields licensed by Guyana, demanding that oil production there be halted, threats that the rigs have ignored.

In Caracas, government officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

byAdministrator

in

May 01, 2026

More than fashion: A pin worn by Venezuela's Rodríguez on state visits riles Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) —Guyanacomplained to Caribbean leaders on Tuesday after Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez wore a con...

Read More

US House sets Thursday vote on Senate-passed DHS funding bill

By David Morgan

Advertisement

WASHINGTON, ‌April 30 (Reuters) - ‌The Republican-controlled ​U.S. House of Representatives scheduled ‌a ⁠vote for early ⁠Thursday afternoon ​on ​a ​Senate-passed bill ‌to fund Department of Homeland Security ‌agencies ​including ​the ​Secret ‌Service, Transportation Security ​Administration ​and the ​U.S. ‌Coast Guard.

(Reporting ​by David ​Morgan)

byAdministrator

in

May 01, 2026

US House sets Thursday vote on Senate-passed DHS funding bill

By David Morgan Advertisement WASHINGTON, ‌April 30 (Reuters) - ‌The Republican-controlled ​U.S. House of Representatives schedu...

Read More

Drake Maye gives support for Mike Vrabel amid Dianna Russini controversy

New England PatriotsquarterbackDrake Mayeoffered his support for Mike Vrabel in his first comments since the 50-year-old coach'srelationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russinicame under scrutiny.

Maye was asked about the drama surrounding Vrabel at an April 29 event promoting the upcoming Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. His response?

"We’re here for coach. We love coach, what he does for us, what he’s done for us this past year – you can’t speak into words,"Maye told Jonathan Hall of 7News. "Just thankful he’s our head coach. I know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field and out of the coaching world, we’re here for him. And I know he’s going to come back."

Maye's comments come after Vrabel missed Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to"begin to seek counseling" and be with his family. His decision came after he and Russini were photographed together at an exclusive Arizona resort ahead of the annual league meetings in late March.

The New York Post also published photos of the two interlocking hands and hugging. The outlet laterreleased what appeared to be more photos of the two– these from a New York bar and dating back to March 2020 – on April 23, the day the draft began.

VRABEL-RUSSINI TIMELINE:Patriots coach steps away from NFL draft

Vrabel addressed stepping away from the Patriots for Day 3 in a conversation with reporters later that day.

"My priorities are my family and this football team – in that order. And there is a balance there that I am going to create," Vrabel said. "My family needs me this weekend, and that's where I'll be."

Advertisement

While Vrabel was absent from the team on April 25,he returned to the Patriots' facility on April 27.

Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.

See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.

Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See Mike Vrabel’s journey from Patriots standout to NFL head coach

Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Since then, several players – including tight endHunter Henryand linebackerRobert Spillane– have been asked about the maelstrom surrounding Vrabel.

Henry made it clear his focus was on preparing for the 2026 season but credited Vrabel with doing "a great job" addressing players amid his off-the-field issues.

"It's been the same Vrabes bringing a lot of energy in the room,"Henry told reporters on April 28. "Obviously, he addressed it, and that's kinda all I'll say about it."

Meanwhile, Spillane noted Vrabel's situation hasn't greatly impacted the team's ability to accomplish work during the NFL's offseason program.

"Coach coaches football and he keeps the main thing, the main thing," Spillane said. "I know he’s dealing with personal issues, but when we’re in the building, we speak football."

Mike Vrabel gets standing ovation from Patriots fans

Maye and the Patriots players aren't the only ones who have offered support for Vrabel. New England's coach got a standing ovation at a Patriots season ticket holder event on April 28.

USA TODAY Sports' Chris Bumbaca also contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Drake Maye offers support for Mike Vrabel: 'We're here for coach'

byAdministrator

in

May 01, 2026

Drake Maye gives support for Mike Vrabel amid Dianna Russini controversy

New England PatriotsquarterbackDrake Mayeoffered his support for Mike Vrabel in his first comments since the 50-year-old coach'srel...

Read More