Good morning! The weekend edition is 702 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• NY beekeeper arrested for ties to Rwanda genocide

• Nonprofit offering free dental care to needy students

• A destructive woodpecker

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Today’s Big Story

Santos Gets 7 Years

A federal judge sentenced former Rep. George Santos to more than seven years in prison on wire fraud and identity theft charges.

• Prosecutors described Santos as a "professional fraudster" who created a "wholly fictitious biography" to win office in New York's 3rd Congressional District. His crimes included stealing identities from campaign contributors, making unauthorized money transfers, using donor credit cards, and lying to receive unemployment benefits while employed.

• A tearful Santos told the judge, "My conduct betrayed my supporters" before receiving the maximum possible sentence plus two years of supervised release. Judge Seybert noted that "words have consequences" as she delivered her ruling.

• Under the plea agreement, Santos must pay $580,000 in restitution and report to prison by July 26, 2025.

• Meanwhile, Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty in federal court Friday to murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at a Manhattan Hilton in December. The hearing happened a day after the Justice Department formally notified Mangione’s lawyer that it would seek the death penalty in the case.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• US authorities arrested New York beekeeper Faustin Nsabumukunzi, 65, for allegedly hiding his role as a leader during Rwanda's 1994 genocide on his green card and citizenship applications. Prosecutors claim he was a "Sector Councilor" who participated in violence against Tutsis before moving to Long Island in 2003. (More)

• California has surged to become the world's fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan with a $4.1 trillion GDP, according to new IMF and BEA data. Governor Newsom credits the state's success to investing in people, sustainability, and innovation. Texas comes after as America's second-largest state economy at $2.7 trillion, followed by New York at $2.3 trillion. (More)

• A homemade explosive device filled with shrapnel killed Russian Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik in Balashikha near Moscow on Friday. Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, with the Foreign Ministry calling it a "terrorist attack." He joins numerous Russian military officials killed since the Ukraine invasion began three years ago. (More)

• The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest at her courthouse. In a separate case, former New Mexico Judge Joel Cano and his wife were arrested for housing a Venezuelan national with reported gang ties. (More)

• Scientists developed a new $100 blood test that detects Parkinson's disease before symptoms appear by analyzing RNA fragments in blood. The test scored 0.86 accuracy (where 1.0 is perfect), outperforming current clinical tests. Researchers from Hebrew University believe this affordable, non-invasive method could revolutionize early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes. (More)

• The US government is reversing the termination of legal status for over 1,200 international students affected by a recent ICE crackdown. Students who suddenly lost status or had visas revoked—many with minor infractions—can now stay legally while courts process dozens of lawsuits challenging the policy. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• A ten-year-old Basset Hound escaped her neglectful home wearing an ID tag, leading animal control to rescue 36 dogs, a chicken, and a cat from deplorable conditions. (More)

• Maternal mortality in Sierra Leone dropped 74% since 2000, from 1,680 deaths per 100,000 births to 440 by 2020. Free healthcare for pregnant women and children since 2010 has driven the remarkable improvement. (More)

• Big Smiles' mobile dental program provides free care to IDEA Hope students in Tampa, including exams, cleanings, and X-rays. The initiative addresses barriers to dental care, as 13% of Americans reported cost obstacles in 2023. (More)

• At age 83, Bobbi Oxford fulfilled her lifelong dream of racing cars at Pikes Peak International Raceway through AARP's Wish of a Lifetime charity. She'd missed her only previous opportunity decades earlier when a women's "Powder Puff Derby" was rained out. (More)

Extra Credit

🥟 The 10 essential places to eat, drink, & shop in Hong Kong.

🛀 In case you were wondering: A guide to forest bathing. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Meanwhile in England, the World Coal Carrying Championships.

🐦️ A ferocious woodpecker damages 25 cars in Massachusetts.