Crime & Public Safety
Saturday, July 18, 2026 · Etowah County
Eight Arrested in International Sexual Assault Investigation
Law enforcement officials have arrested eight individuals in connection with an international investigation into sexual assault. The National Crime Agency has identified 270 people involved with websites allegedly used for abuse.
Prosecutors push to increase sentences for domestic homicides
Officials are considering legislation that would increase the mandatory minimum sentence for domestic killings to 25 years, aligning penalties with other murder convictions.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Most Americans Face Daily Scam Attempts, Yet Few Report Losses
An AP-NORC poll shows most Americans encounter scam attempts regularly, and roughly 3 in 10 have suffered financial or information losses. However, most victims do not report their experiences to authorities.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
DEA faces scrutiny over fentanyl flow in New Mexico
Current and former DEA agents told the Associated Press that the agency did not take sufficient action to stop hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills from reaching New Mexico streets between 2023 and 2025. The DEA did not provide a response to the allegations.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Majority of Americans report race relations have improved since 2020
A new survey shows most Americans believe race relations have gotten better since the summer of 2020, when protests erupted following George Floyd's death during a Minneapolis police arrest. Respondents remain divided on the underlying causes of racial disparities and the effectiveness of proposed remedies.
Saturday, July 18, 2026