NEWS OF THE DAY
From Across the Nation
Sexual harassment: Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., broke his silence Sunday after being swept into a nationwide tide of sexual harassment allegations, saying he feels “embarrassed and ashamed” but looks forward to returning to work Monday and gradually regaining voters’ trust. The Democrat spoke to media outlets in Minnesota in the first interviews he’s granted after four women publicly accused him of misconduct. Three women allege that Franken grabbed their buttocks while taking photos with them during campaign events. Franken told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he doesn’t remember the photographs but that such behavior is “not something I would intentionally do.” Franken faces a Senate ethics investigation.
Church vandalism: A New Jersey man has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief for breaking windows and damaging signs at five predominantly black churches in Morris Township and Morristown. The damage was discovered Saturday. The suspect, Zuri Towns, 45, told officials he acted alone. Officials say he had previously attended services as a minor at one of the churches. He was arrested near his home close to one of the churches. Officials said their probe shows no evidence of bias crimes.
Actress arrested: An actress on the former hit show “Glee” has been charged with domestic battery in West Virginia. The Kanawha County Sheriff ’s Office said Sunday that Naya Rivera, 30, was arrested overnight for domestic battery on her husband in Chesapeake. A sheriff ’s office statement said Ryan Keith Dorsey told a deputy that Rivera struck him in the head and face. The sheriff said Rivera was released after being arraigned. She is known for playing Santana Lopez on “Glee.” Dorsey is also an actor and has appeared on shows including “Pitch” and “Nashville.”
Skull found: Police in Angels Camp (Calaveras County) say they arrested a motorist on Thanksgiving after a human skull was found in the trunk of a car that ran a stop sign. Officers said it appears the skull had recently been dug up. It was taken to the coroner’s office for identification. Police also reported finding methamphetamine hidden behind the car’s fuel door. The man refused to say how he got the skull and was booked on suspicion of disturbing human remains, possessing methamphetamine and vehicle code violations.
Fraternity death: About 500 people attended a memorial service for a Florida State University fraternity pledge whose death after a party led to the indefinite suspension of all Greek life on campus. Family, friends and ex-classmates attended the Saturday service at Pompano Beach High School to honor 20-year-old Andrew Coffey. He attended a Nov. 3 offcampus party and was found unresponsive hours later. Authorities haven’t determined the cause of death but believe alcohol may have been involved. After his death, FSU President John Thrasher suspended Greek activity, saying time is needed to “review and reflect on the loss of a young life and to implement serious changes.”
Chronicle News Services