Stories from United States

A King County couple is accused of stealing more than $2.5 million from a deceased man. The Seattle Times reported on the allegations. The case is currently being handled by local authorities. Prosecutors allege Ronald and Melissa Wissner forged the will of a 73-year-old Boeing engineer who died by suicide in Issaquah last year. The engineer lived alone and had no immediate family, though the Wissners claimed to be dear friends. Ronald Wissner faces 22 charges and arrest warrants have been issued for both individuals. The couple is believed to have fled, according to the Seattle Times. The Wissners allegedly claimed to be dear friends of the deceased, though investigators say there is no evidence they knew each other.

Dow futures rose 311 points, representing a more than half percent increase for blue chip stocks. The S&P 500 advanced 37 points following news that economic growth reached approximately 2.2%. Nasdaq futures increased by 200 points, a three-quarters of a percent rise.

Fitzpatrick and co-sponsors have introduced the Fuel the Force Act. The legislation would exempt active duty police officers with at least five years of service from taxes on their first $100,000 of annual income.

Janet Mills has dropped out of the race for the Maine Senate seat. Democratic leadership is expected to rally around candidate Graham Plattner, a Marine Corps veteran, to challenge Republican incumbent Collins. Despite backing from the Democratic establishment, Mills noted she lacks the funds to proceed. Her primary opponent, 41-year-old Graham Plattner, currently holds a fundraising advantage. Mills announced her campaign suspension on Thursday morning. The announcement was made during the NPR Morning Edition broadcast. The two-term Democrat entered the race in October with the goal of unseating Republican Susan Collins. The announcement was discussed on WLS-AM 890 Chicago. The announcement leaves the Democratic Party without its primary candidate for the seat. The move follows recruitment efforts by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Republican candidate for California Governor Steve Hilton has sent his first budget plan to the state legislature. The proposal includes plans to cut electric bills in half and provide the first $100,000 tax-free. Hilton stated the plan aims to make home ownership affordable for young people to restore the California dream. Steve Hilton is running for governor of California on a platform of increasing oil and natural gas production, cutting bureaucracy, and addressing affordability. The candidate is running in the region almost exactly three years after the diocese recently. Hilton was born in the United Kingdom.

Authorities in Baltimore are reopening the bidding process for the construction of the new Key Bridge. This follows the cancellation of a contract with a previously selected design and construction firm.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office is searching for two siblings, 12-year-old Angeline and Alexander, who went missing in Edgewood. Investigators stated the children left the 207 East Apartments on foot last night around 9:30 PM. Authorities are requesting public assistance in locating the missing children. Detectives posted an update confirming their safety and thanked community members who assisted in the search.

Developers of the Digital Gateway Data Center project will no longer appeal a legal challenge to the proposal. The project would consist of a 2,100-acre campus bordering the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Susan Hudson is accused of mismanagement in connection with a brazen jailbreak.

California workers lose approximately $4 billion every year due to stolen and unpaid wages. Many of these workers are never repaid for the missing funds. Lawmakers held a hearing on wage theft and enforcement in the state assembly yesterday to address the issue. The session focused on enforcement mechanisms for wage theft cases. Labor groups and lawmakers stated the state requires more staff to collect owed funds from employers. One home health care worker reported she has not received any of a $350,000 state claim won six years ago. Workers are planning multiple May Day events across the Bay Area tomorrow. Nearly half of the state judgments against non-compliant employers are paid within one year, though many cases take much longer.