An attack in the Ozarks left two parents dead in front of their young daughters. Now, days after searching, police say they’ve caught the man responsible.
Plus, a Delta flight bound for Europe didn’t make it out of U.S. airspace before violent turbulence forced an emergency landing in Minneapolis. Two dozen people were hospitalized.
Also, another major player joins the push for Palestinian statehood. Canada announced it will formally recognize Palestine this fall, joining France and the U.K.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Former teacher arrested in double murder at Arkansas State Park
Arkansas State Police arrested a former elementary school teacher in connection with a double killing in Devil’s Den State Park. State police accused 28-year-old James Andrew McGann of killing a couple while they were hiking with their two young daughters on Saturday, July 26.
After a statewide manhunt, police said they took McGann into custody on Wednesday, July 30. He now faces two counts of capital murder, according to NBC News.
Prior to his arrest, McGann worked as a fifth-grade teacher in Oklahoma. He passed all background checks before getting hired.
Investigators believe he attacked Clinton and Cristen Brink while on a walking trail with their 7- and 9-year-old daughters.
The children survived and went to the park visitors’ center to report their parents’ attack. Police said the two girls are now under the family’s care.
The head of state police praised the work that led to the arrest.
“The collaboration between state police and other local law enforcement agencies, our federal partners, has been second to none,” said Mike Hager, the head of Arkansas State Police. “I also want to thank our media partners for helping us distribute important information during these past few days. Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets and bring relief to Clinton and Cristen’s precious girls.”
Police have not shared any details on what motivated the murders, but say the couple had just moved to Arkansas. Clinton Brink was set to start a new job the week of July 28.
The state park remains closed as the investigation continues.
Over two dozen hospitalized after severe turbulence forces landing
A Delta flight was forced to make an emergency landing Wednesday, July 30, after it hit violent turbulence and caused 25 people to be taken to the hospital. The flight, Delta Flight 56, was en route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam when it suddenly diverted to Minneapolis.
The Airbus A330 made a safe landing just after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, where paramedics met the plane at the gate. Twenty-five passengers and crew were taken to area hospitals, but information on their injuries has not been released.
Flight tracking data shows the aircraft climbed more than a thousand feet in 30 seconds, then dropped just as fast before changing course to Minneapolis.
Following the incident, Delta Airlines released a statement saying, “Safety is our no. 1 value at Delta, and our Delta Care team is working directly with customers to support their immediate needs.”
NTSB reveals DC crash likely caused by altitude error, missed call
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun public hearings after 67 people were killed in a crash back in January. The crash involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet, which collided near D.C.’s Reagan Airport.
Investigators now say the helicopter crew likely did not know how close they were to the jet or how low they were to the ground.
Faulty altitude readings may have misled them, and a key instruction from air traffic control never got through because both sides keyed their radios at the same time.
A newly released video from the end of the runway shows the crash as it occurred, bringing some family members present at the hearing to tears. As they listened to the findings, many wore pictures of their loved ones on buttons or around their necks.
NTSB found that the pilots in the American Airlines jet pulled up just seconds before impact, and the helicopter crew likely never saw it coming.
The hearings continue through Friday, Aug. 1, with more questions for the Army and FAA about how the crash happened, and how to prevent it from happening again.
DOJ pushes to unseal Epstein grand jury files
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing to unseal Epstein grand jury files that it says contain testimony from just two law enforcement officers, no victims.
In a court filing, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche told a New York judge that only an FBI agent and an NYPD detective testified before the grand juries that indicted Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The move to unseal the testimony comes after a request from President Donald Trump. He has been asking for “any and all” Epstein records to be made public, calling it a matter of transparency.
Following the request, Senate democrats are speaking up.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says he and four other senators are invoking a century-old law, known as the rule of five, to force the DOJ to hand over all files, documents and evidence in the Epstein case.
He says the public deserves to know who enabled or participated in “one of the most heinous sex trafficking operations in history.”
Under federal law, when any five senators on the Homeland Security Committee call on the executive branch, it must comply.
The judge in New York is now weighing whether to unseal the grand jury testimony, while victims and Epstein’s representative have until August 5th to weigh in.
Canada to recognize Palestinian state at UN in September
Canada announced it will join France and the UK in officially recognizing a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the decision depends on significant changes from the Palestinian Authority, including a promise to hold elections without Hamas.
“This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to much-needed reforms, including commitments by the Palestinian Authority’s president (Mahmoud) Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part. And to demilitarize the Palestinian state,” Carney said.
The recognition push comes as pressure mounts on Israel to accept a two-state solution or risk losing international support. However, Israel quickly criticized the move, calling it ” a reward for Hamas.”
But Carney said lasting peace requires a viable Palestinian state in addition to Israel’s security.
President Donald Trump also responded to Carney’s announcement, saying that Canada’s backing of a Palestinian state would make any trade deal between the U.S. and Canada “very hard.”
Harris rules out 2026 California gubernatorial run
Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced she will not run for California governor in 2026, ending months of speculation about her next move. However, the news leaves the door open for other potential political steps.
In a statement, Harris said, “I love this state, its people, and its promise. But after deep reflection, I have decided that I will not run for governor in this election.”
The 2024 Democratic presidential candidate said she would focus on helping elect Democrats and would share more about her plans in the months ahead.
Harris had been a leading contender in California since Gavin Newsom is term-limited. However, sources told CNN she worried a gubernatorial campaign could divert her attention from broader national issues, including her potential second run for president in 2028.
As the former vice president figures out her next move, she’s now considering starting a PAC, launching a nonprofit or conducting a listening tour through the South.
Fans honor Ozzy Osbourne during hometown funeral
Fans lined the streets of Birmingham, England, as Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession made its way through his hometown on Wednesday, July 30.
The heavy metal legend was honored with flowers, tributes and cheers as his coffin passed through the streets where Black Sabbath was born.
His wife Sharon, overwhelmed with emotion, laid flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge, flanked by their children, surrounded by fans and watched by millions online.
Osbourne wasn’t just a rock icon — to many, he was family. His “Brummie” roots ran deep, and his voice became unmistakable.
The prince of darkness received the kind of farewell that only a hometown hero could.
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Author: Craig Nigrelli
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