'Sopranos' actor Vincent Pastore, known for playing mobsters and tough guys, dead at 80
NEW YORK (AP) — Vincent Pastore, a veteran actor who played mobsters and tough guys, and was best known for portraying Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on “The Sopranos,” has died. He was 80. Bob McGowan, who had managed Pastore since his run on “The Sopranos,” told The Associated Press that he learned of his death Saturday from another client and actor on the show, Vincent Curatola. He said that he had been found in his home on New York’s City Island after not being heard from for a few days.
FBI investigates as Michigan joins Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on its water systems
Michigan has joined Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on water systems but an official said all were operating “safely.” Earlier this week, authorities said cyberattacks targeted over 30 water systems in Minnesota. The source of the attacks is being investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been focused on such systems. Minnesota IT Services said Thursday that the investigation into the attacks that happened on Sunday and Monday was continuing, and that state officials had not identified who was behind them. There were no reports that residents had been impacted by the attacks.
Leave it: Dog trainers help pets avoid venomous snakes
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — In parts of the U.S. where venomous snakes are more common, training programs aim to protect pets from getting bitten. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says up to 150,000 dogs are bitten by poisonous snakes each year. One emergency vet in Tucson, Arizona, says her hospital treats four to six dogs for rattlesnake bites daily, and the occasional cat. With quick treatment, the survival rate for pets is 94%. Snake-avoidance trainers say using electronic collars sparingly teaches pets not to approach poisonous snakes. The ASPCA says the collars should be used under the guidance of a knowledgeable trainer. Other steps to avoid pet-snake interactions include trimming back undergrowth and learning about snakes in your area.
Iceland seizes Paul Watson Foundation's anti-whaling ship and detains its crew
LONDON (AP) — Icelandic coast guards and special forces have seized a ship operated by a group founded by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson. Officials say the crew of whaling ship Hvalur 9 requested assistance Thursday, believing their safety was threatened by the protest vessel Bandero. They say the Bandero ignored instructions to leave Icelandic waters and stop its engines. Coast guards and police boarded the vessel around midnight and detained its crew. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation confirmed the seizure. Icelandic police are investigating and may deport the 21 crew members. Iceland, along with Norway and Japan, still practices commercial whaling, a contentious issue in the country.
America In Focus: US economy expands at sluggish pace, mortgage rate hit the highest level in a year
The U.S. economy expanded at a sluggish 1.5% pace from April through June as rising imports weighed on growth. Meanwhile, the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose for the fourth consecutive week to its highest level in a year, another setback for prospective homebuyers hoping for a break from elevated home loan borrowing costs. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.66% from 6.58% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.
Romo on leave from CBS Sports after arrest on suspicion of operating vehicle under the influence
Tony Romo has been placed on leave from his role as the lead analyst on CBS’ NFL coverage following his arrest last week on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. CBS Sports announced Friday that the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was on leave “until further notice.” JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Romo’s absence. Romo was arrested July 23 after he was stopped while driving south on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin.
New York sues prediction market platform Kalshi alleging 'illegal gambling operation'
New York officials have sued prediction market platform Kalshi for potentially billions of dollars, calling it an “illegal, unlicensed gambling operation” as the state seeks to halt its operations and force the company to forfeit its profits. New York joins a growing number of states filing lawsuits against Kalshi and other companies in a dispute with President Donald Trump’s administration over who regulates the fast-growing prediction market. New York's lawsuit was filed Friday in state Supreme Court in Manhattan. Kalshi and other platforms argue they are federally licensed and regulated, and states have no authority to govern them.
10-year-old boy drowns in New Jersey river, sister lives, and another child is missing
One child has died and another is missing after the two 10-year-olds went into a rain-swollen New Jersey river. The mayor of Passaic says the 11-year-old sister of a 10-year-old boy had also gone into the water but was possibly saved by her brother before he drowned. The missing child, a 10-year-old girl, had not been located as of Thursday morning. The fire department chief referred to the search as a “recovery operation.” The trio had been seen in the Passaic River in Pulaski Park on Wednesday evening. The river was higher than usual due to heavy rainfall. A man in the park attempted a rescue but couldn't reach the children.
Ancient mummy DNA provides scientific evidence that colonization brought smallpox to the Americas
NEW YORK (AP) — New research says ancient mummy DNA provides the firmest evidence yet that European colonization brought smallpox to the Americas. The deadly disease struck Asia and Europe and eventually spread to the Americas, where it killed millions and devastated Indigenous populations. Until now, evidence of these outbreaks came from historical documents. In a new study, researchers found evidence of smallpox infection from two mummified individuals in Chile, dating them to between 1492 and 1631. They were between 18 and 35 years old. The research shines a light on the human cost of the disease. The findings were published Thursday in Science.
Former Cowboys QB Tony Romo had an open bottle of alcohol in his car when arrested, police say
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Authorities say CBS NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had an open container of alcohol in his vehicle when he was stopped by police and later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. According to one of three citations released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, the “open bottle of an alcoholic beverage” was discovered in the passenger’s side of Romo’s black Jeep during an inventory before it was towed. Another citation said police stopped Romo on Interstate 43 on July 23 after he was seen passing cars in an area that separates interstate traffic from cars entering from an on-ramp. Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody, booked and released.
