Category: News

Posted on

Where Else Would A Storm Chaser Pop The Question?

Joey Krastel pops the question to bf Chris Scott

We’ve seen marriage proposals at Disney World, at Pride events, even at home supply super-stores, but meteorologist Joey Krastel popped the question with an element of danger thrown in.

On May 28, the 27-year-old posted a photo on Twittershowing the ‘storm chaser’ down on one knee in front of his boyfriend, Chris Scott, with a wild storm in the background. The caption read, “The 2 loves of my life.”

Krastel has been fascinated by storms and weather since the age of four when he saw his first tornado.

“It was at that moment where I knew everything I wanted to do from then on out,” he told NBC News. “Every meteorologist has a weather story from when they were little that defined their path.”

In fact, it was weather that brought the couple together.

Scott has had an interest in storms since he first saw the tornado-themed film Twisterwhen he was a young boy.

It was his enchantment of weather that led him to follow Krastel on Instagram where the meteorologist posts photos and video footage of wild weather.

One comment led to another and another, and soon the pair got in touch and began dating.

Dates included, of course, adventures in storm chasing.

It was with that in mind that Krastel planned his big moment.

“It was always in the back of my mind to get engaged during storm chasing,” he shared with NBC News. “I felt like it would be this perfect way to seal the deal.”

And so it was that a road trip that began in Dallas and traveled across Oklahoma and New Mexico. But it wasn’t until the group was driving through Kansas that they came across “the right storm.”

“It all just kind of came together and happened so quickly,” said Krastel. “I was like, ‘Ok, this is it.’”

With a tornado whirling in the distance, Krastel dropped to his knee and popped the question as a friend snapped the pic.

This photo posted to Krastel’s Instagram shows how close the couple were to the dangerous storm at the time of his proposal.

The couple now has a terrific marriage proposal story to share with friends, but it’s important to warn that storm chasing can be very dangerous for folks who do not understand weather patterns.

National Geographic reports that tornadoes cause 80 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries in the U.S.

There are many ways to reinforce a home against wind damage — some are simple enough to DIY while others may require professional assistance. Click here for a guide to preparing your home from damaging winds.

Posted on

Dozens Indicted In College Admission Scandal Including Actresses Felicity Huffman & Lori Loughlin

Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin (images via Facebook)

This looks to be the story of the day, especially with the inclusion of actresses Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives) and Lori Loughlin (Full House).

According to court filings, those indicted allegedly paid millions in bribes to get their children into elite colleges as well as cheating on entrance exams.

Via the New York Times:

Federal prosecutors charged dozens of people on Tuesday in a major college admission scandal that involved wealthy parents, including Hollywood celebrities and prominent business leaders, paying bribes to get their children into elite American universities.

Thirty-three parents were charged in the case. Also implicated were top college coaches, who were accused of accepting millions of dollars to help admit students to Wake Forest, Yale, Stanford, the University of Southern California and other schools, regardless of their academic or sports ability, officials said.

Along with the Hollywood stars Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, those charged included prominent business leaders, a fashion designer and a top lawyer, as well as exam administrators accused of manufacturing students’ achievements and private admissions counselors accused of coordinating it all, officials said.

Federal authorities say dozens of individuals were involved in a nationwide bribery and fraud scheme to help students gain admission to elite colleges and universities. Racketeering charges against 12 of the defendants are detailed in this indictment, one of a number of charging documents in the case.

William Rick Singer, the founder of the college preparatory business the Edge College & Career Network (aka The Key), is apparently at the center of the scandal.

Singer has already pleaded guilty to charges and is reportedly cooperating with federal prosecutors.

His organization allegedly helped students cheat on standardized tests, like the SAT, and facilitated bribes to prep coaches who helped students gain access into college with fake athletic credentials.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Huffman’s daughter took the test in December 2017, and received a 1420 on the test – a 400 point improvement from a previous attempt.

Related: How to take precautions to avoid back-to-school scams

Posted on

Cesar Sayoc Jr. Charged For Bombing Campaign Against Trump Critics

Cesar Sayoc Jr. charged on 5 counts of attempted bombing targeting critics of Donald Trump
Cesar Sayoc, Jr. (via Facebook)

Cesar Sayoc Jr., of Aventura, Florida, has been arrested and charged in the bombing campaign that has targeted prominent Democratic figures.

From The New York Times:

At a news conference in Washington on Friday afternoon, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that Mr. Sayoc had been charged with five federal crimes, including the interstate transportation of an explosive, the illegal mailing of explosives and making a threat against a former president and others.

Mr. Sayoc is a registered Republican whose arrest record in Florida dates back to 1991 and includes felony theft, drug and fraud charges, as well as allegations that he threatened to use a bomb, public records show.

According to a 2012 bankruptcy petition filed in Miami, Mr. Sayoc resided at the time at his mother’s home. “Lives w/mom,” a handwritten note on the petition said. “Has no furniture.”

The Times reports that DNA samples on two of the bombs matched a DNA sample from Sayoc from a previous arrest.

Additionally, a finger print was found on one of the bombs that matched Sayoc.

At a press conference today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was asked why all of the targets were political opponents of Donald Trump. Sessions said he was not sure, but added that the suspect “appears to be a partisan.”

Oh, really? Check out the picture at the top of this post. Yeah, I’d call that ‘partisan.’

The charges include interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and other persons, threatening interstate commerce and assaulting federal officers.’

If convicted, the 56-year-old faces up to 58 years in prison.

Sayoc has reportedly denied any role in the bombing campaign.

So far, bombs have been found to have been sent to these perceived political opponents of Donald Trump: President Obama; former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.; former Secretary of State Clinton; Rep. Maxine Waters fo California; former Attorney General Eric Holder; John O. Brennan, a former C.I.A. director, the actor Robert De Niro; Sen. Kamala Harris of California; Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey; James Clapper, former director of national intelligence; Tom Steyer, a prominent Democratic donor and George Soros, the billionaire Democratic donor.

It appears driving around in his van plastered with Trump propaganda had become unfulfilling.

Because how nutty does this look???

Sayoc appears to have heard the clarion call of his leader who, with a wink and a nod, has been inciting violence for some time.

Trump created the ‘alternate reality’ this guy lives in. Don’t for one second not believe that.

 

Posted on

Remembering The 49 Lost In The Pulse Nightclub Shooting

In the two years since the deadly Pulse Nightclub shooting massacre, there have been a LOT of prayers and thoughts sent out for those affected by gun violence.

Unfortunately, that’s close to all we’ve gotten.

In a country that polls show support commonsense gun legislation (background checks, no guns for those on the ‘no-fly’ list) to the tune of almost 90% politicians are still afraid of the 3 million-member National Rifle Association.

Two years ago today, 49 innocent people lost their lives in what was, at the time, the deadliest shooting massacre in the history of the country. Additionally, 53 more were injured.

On that night, the gay nightclub, one of our safe spaces, became a war zone and an emergency room.

Since the Pulse shooting, there have been more mass shootings and more unnecessary deaths.

And still we wait.


From DNC chairman Tom Perez:

“Two years ago, our nation witnessed one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. It was an attack on the LGBTQ community, the Latinx community, and LGBTQ people of color everywhere. It was an attack on the American people and the values of diversity and equality that all of us should cherish. And it was an all too common reminder that our nation is in dire need of common sense gun reforms.

“On this anniversary, let us honor the lives lost that night by recommitting ourselves to the fight for a world where no one faces discrimination, where no life is taken by hatred or bigotry, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity – no matter who they are or who they love. As we celebrate Pride Month, we recognize that the fight for LGBTQ equality is far from over, and the Democratic Party will continue to stand with LGBTQ communities in America and around the world who are fighting for the rights they deserve.”

From Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin:

“Every day, we carry forward the memories of the 49 people whose lives were cruelly and tragically taken at Pulse.”

“As our nation marks two years since this tragedy, we must never lose sight of the unfulfilled hopes, the families shattered and the love lost in this preventable act of mass murder. The thousands more killed by gun violence since Pulse underscores the glaring failure of our elected officials to take common sense steps to combat the scourge of gun violence that plagues our nation.

“We remain as resolved as ever to honor those taken with action, and to work with our coalition partners to ensure that lifesaving steps are finally taken so that all of us may live safe from violence.”

We remember:

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old

Amanda L. Alvear, 25 years old

Oscar A. Aracena Montero, 26 years old

Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, 33 years old

Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old

Angel Candelario-Padro, 28 years old

Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 years old

Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old

Cory James Connell, 21 years old

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old

Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández, 31 years old

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old

Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz, 22 years old

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old

Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old

Frank Hernandez, 27 years old

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old

Javier Jorge Reyes, 40 years old

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old

Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 years old

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old

Brenda Marquez McCool, 49 years old

Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25 years old

Kimberly Jean Morris, 37 years old

Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old

Luis Omar Ocasio Capo, 20 years old

Geraldo A. Ortiz Jimenez, 25 years old

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old

Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old

Jean Carlos Nieves Rodríguez, 27 years old

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano-Rosado, 35 years old

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old

Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan, 24 years old

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old

Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old

Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24 years old

Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez, 37 years old

Luis Sergio Vielma, 22 years old

Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velázquez, 50 years old

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old

Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old

Posted on

News Round-Up: May 13, 2018

(via Instagram)

Some news stories you might have missed:

• TRR InstaHunk fave, David Faulón (above), celebrated his birthday in his (almost) birthday suit!

• A mother who is “against people being gay” wrote to Dear Abby saying her 43-year-old daughter just came out as lesbian. Abby knew just how to handle this one…

• A Texas teacher was accused of “promoting a homosexual agenda” when she showed students a picture of herself and her wife dressed up as Disney characters on the first day of school.

• Starbucks has now adopted an open-bathroom policy following an incident in Philadelphia last month were two black men were arrested while waiting for a business colleague.

• An Oregon school allegedly forced an LGBT student to read the Bible as punishment…?

• GLEE star Kevin McHale says of his recent coming out: “I think there was zero surprise. People knew.”

• The Trump administration continues its attack on the trans community by rolling back prison protections.

• And how about one more from the woofy Mr. Faulón:

(via Instagram)
Posted on

Orlando: Pulse Nightclub Massacre One Year Ago Today

It was one year ago today that a lone gunman, Omar Mateen, pledged his loyalty to ISIS, walked into a gay nightclub in Orlando armed with an assault rifle and killed 49 people in the worst gun massacre in American history.