NYPD investigates music mogul

Following at least 11 accusations of sexual misconduct against Russell Simmons — seven of which allegedly happened in New York City — the New York Police Department’s special victims unit has opened an investigation of the embattled music mogul.

A person at the NYPD who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday that detectives are in the initial stages of reaching out to women who have alleged that Simmons assaulted them in New York.

Sherri Hines, who went by the name Sheri Sher when she was in the all-female hip-hop group Mercedes Ladies, told The Times on Thursday that she was contacted by the NYPD earlier in the day. She says Mr. Simmons raped her in his New York office around 1983.

Mr. Simmons did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Neo-Nazi suspect charged

The self-professed neo-Nazi accused of barreling a car through a crowd of people protesting a white supremacist rally that killed one woman in Charlottesville, Va., over the summer is now being charged with first-degree murder.

James Alex Fields Jr. made his first extended court appearance in Charlottesville on Thursday where the charge was announced, according to Charlottesville’s WCAV-TV.

He has been behind bars since the violent “Unite the Right” rally which killed 32year-old Heather Heyer, a paralegal peacefully protesting the Aug. 12 event.

NYT publisher retiring

NEWYORK — The publisher of The New York Times Co. is stepping down after 25 years and will be succeeded by his 37-year-old son, the Times announced Thursday.

Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. will retire as of Dec. 31, but will remain as chairman of the board of directors, the Times said. His son and current deputy publisher, Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, will take over as publisher.

“It is the greatest honor to serve The Times — and the people who make it what it is — as the next publisher,” the younger Sulzberger, known as A.G., said in a staffwide email.

Farenthold to leave office

U.S.Rep. Blake Farenthold has announced he won’t seek re-election, less than a week aftera House committee opened an investigation into sexualharassment claims froma former aide.

Mr. Farenthold made the announcement Thursday morning on his campaign Facebook page.