DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s ICE agents have plunged the prosecution of a suspected serial child rapist into jeopardy. Piano instructor Joshua Wexler, 47, has been indicted on charges of sexually abusing kids as young as four—including during lessons when their parents were nearby. But the conduct of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) risks jeopardizing the case against him. In an Oct. 5 ruling reviewed by the Daily Beast’s sister Substack, PunchUp, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres questioned how federal immigration agents handled evidence seized from Wexler at his home in New York. That included asking why they had passed information extracted from his three phones and two laptops to local police before investigators obtained a search warrant and without providing an inventory of the devices. The agents then transferred the confiscated devices to authorities in Louisiana, where Wexler was alleged to have committed the acts, despite express instructions from government lawyers not to, according to the court. Torres, an Obama appointee, said: “The Government’s submission recounts actions by a federal law enforcement agency which contravene and undermine the constitutional and legal constraints on its conduct.” The judge said the government’s continued failure to produce the relevant warrant and inventory would “compel the conclusion” that the agents had “acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally”. Torres demanded that the government produce the warrants and supporting paperwork authorizing the seizure and search by October 19, warning that she would otherwise order the devices and their extracted contents returned to Wexler. Her ruling does not mean the charges against Wexler will be dismissed or the evidence excluded from his Louisiana prosecution. The court has also not ruled that the agents’ conduct has permanently damaged the prosecution. An ICE spokesperson said the agency does not comment on ongoing investigations.

Tom Latchem exposes the secrets, scandals, and stories that powerful people and institutions want to keep under wraps. Follow all of his reporting at PunchUp on Substack.

A captive elephant has gone on a dramatic rampage that was captured on camera. Somanna, 36, was carrying a shrine to a Hindu goddess weighing over 1,400 pounds in the southern Indian city of Shivamogga, Karnataka, during a religious procession on Wednesday. Somanna had been carrying a 19th-century golden seat, or howdah, at the city’s Dasara festival, but he threw it off his back, causing chaos. Footage shows people scrambling to get out of the moody mammal’s way, and cars were also reportedly damaged in the chaos. The Independent reports the incident sparked outrage amongst conservationists. Authorities reportedly brought the elephant under control with a sedative, and it is said to be recovering well at a temple. Officials say nobody was injured in the rampage. The day’s festivities honor goddess Chamundeshwari slaying the demon Mahishasura, an image associated with an elephant carrying a golden howdah. Somanna was assigned the job after the elephant that usually carries the howdah suffered a leg injury.

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If you (or your partner) snore at night, you know how disruptive it can be to getting a good night’s sleep. While plenty of over-the-counter remedies promise to silence snoring, from nasal strips to specialty pillows, anti-snoring mouthguards can be an effective, drug-free option for certain types of snoring. These devices work by gently positioning the lower jaw forward to help keep the upper airway open during sleep, reducing the vibrations that cause snoring in the first place.

GoodSleepCo’s Hushd Avera Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece is a doctor-designed, adjustable mouthguard with two settings, allowing users to find a more personalized balance of comfort and support. Unlike one-size-fits-all mouthguards, the Hushd Avera is designed to mold to the user’s teeth at home in approximately two minutes—no trip to the dentist required.

GoodSleepCo Hushd Avera Anti-Snoring Device

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The customizable mouthpiece is made from medical-grade, BPA-free, latex-free, and phthalate-free materials and includes three arches designed to accommodate different fits. Its adjustable design also allows users to fine-tune the positioning of their jaw rather than committing to a single setting, which makes it easier to find a comfortable fit.

Of course, not all snoring is created equal, and an anti-snoring mouthguard isn’t a universal fix—especially for those with underlying conditions like obstructive sleep apnea. But for those dealing with uncomplicated snoring, a customizable oral mouthpiece may be the ticket to a better night’s sleep. Plus, you can currently score 15 percent off the Hushd Avera for a limited time.

JJ Watt will replace Tony Romo as CBS Sports’ lead NFL analyst full-time, the network announced Wednesday. Watt first stepped in after the network placed Romo on leave in July following a drunk-driving arrest in Wisconsin. Romo, who first joined CBS in 2017, pleaded no contest to a first-offense drunk-driving citation and had his license revoked for six months. CBS permanently parted ways with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback earlier this month, six years into his massive 10-year, $180 million contract. The network did not disclose the financial terms of Watt’s multi-year deal, but confirmed the former NFL Man of the Year will call the Super Bowl in 2028, the next time CBS has the rights. “I am incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent CBS Sports and all of the fantastic people who make this place so special,” Watt said in a press release. He added: “I love this job and can’t wait to see ya Sunday with Jim and Tracy (Wolfson) and many more Sundays to come!” Watt joined CBS in 2023, initially sitting in the studio before being promoted to analyst duties last season, working as Jim Nantz’s No. 2.

Heartstopping footage has captured the moment a news reporter plunged into floodwaters to save a driver whose car was rapidly sinking beneath the surface. Australian ABC News reporter Will Murray and fellow bystander Daniel Hainey swam to the vehicle after it drove through floodwater, stalled, and began floating downstream in Morayfield, north of Brisbane. Camera operator Liz Pickering filmed the dramatic rescue. Murray called emergency services but jumped into the water when the driver disappeared from view. After failing to open the nearest door, the rescuers forced open a rear passenger door and pulled the man to safety. “All three of us gave each other a big hug and were just so relieved,” Murray said. Nearly 7 inches of rain had fallen in the area that day. The driver later told Murray he had not seen the warning signs or realized how deep the water was. “I just witnessed how quickly it can go south, and it is terrifying,” Murray said. “Please don’t drive into floodwaters.”

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Nothing beats making pizza at home—especially in the fall and winter. After all, there’s no better way to warm up than with a warm, cheesy pie. Sure, takeout and delivery are convenient, but making pizza at home lets you get a little creative while honing your skills... and without breaking the bank. If you’re ready to invest in a professional-grade home pizza oven (and with the holiday hosting season upon us, there really is no better time!), Current’s Model P+ Electric Pizza Oven is second to none.

Current Model P+ Electric Pizza Oven

See At Current

Engineered for indoor and outdoor cooking, this versatile pizza oven offers eight built-in cooking modes, so you can whip up any style of pizza with ease, from Neapolitan to NYC style. Each pie is cooked evenly and is ready in just two minutes. Plus, you can also use the multifunctional pizza oven to cook everything from roasted veggies and focaccia to flatbreads and desserts. The best part is that because there’s no open flame (you just need an outlet), it’s safe for families and pets, too.

A flight has hit turbulence so severe that it injured four flight attendants. United Airlines Flight 1157 was bound for Los Angeles from Hawaii on Wednesday night when it hit severe weather. Audio from the 31-year-old Boeing 777’s broadcast to air traffic control revealed the pilot said: “It only lasted a couple of seconds. It felt like wake turbulence, but we’re smooth now.” At least two people were left with neck and back injuries, while the New York Post reports that four crew members were injured in total. “We just started falling, and I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” eyewitness Coral Pena told ABC7, adding that she heard a loud bang. The Post reported the plane fell 3,500 feet in a minute. “I was watching a movie and all of a sudden we just dropped,” Marly Wadlington, a San Diego resident, told the station. “And it felt like we dropped pretty far. It started shaking, everyone was yelling. We were all super scared.” They landed safely in L.A. but remained on the tarmac while the injured crew were treated. Another witness told the network they saw a member of staff bleeding from their leg and head.

A South Florida police officer was booked on multiple felony charges after allegedly orchestrating a scheme to hijack a deceased man’s identity, access his private records, and take over his home. Authorities arrested Brian Louis Sguros on Oct. 20, following a joint investigation that uncovered his alleged actions after responding to a 2022 welfare call in Lauderhill—a suburban municipality near Fort Lauderdale. Upon discovering resident Dennis West dead of natural causes inside the residence, investigators say Sguros immediately inserted himself into the man’s post-death affairs. Detectives allege the officer falsely claimed to be a close personal friend of West and lied to county medical examiners by stating the man had no living relatives. Sguros then allegedly spent years maintaining the illusion that West was still alive—paying the home’s utility bills and property taxes under the deceased man’s name. To facilitate home repairs, Sguros forged West’s signature on municipal permit applications and repeatedly searched law enforcement databases to collect additional personal details. By Feb. 2025, Sguros officially filed paperwork claiming ownership of the property. Sguros now faces charges including official misconduct and criminal use of personal identification.

A guitarist behind some of the 1990s’ biggest punk hits is taking an unexpected break from performing after revealing a medical problem. The Offspring’s Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman, 63, told fans on Wednesday that he is withdrawing from concerts to address what he calls “a sudden and fairly serious health issue.” The veteran musician offered no further explanation of his condition or how long he might be away. Wasserman said his fellow band members supported his decision and would continue playing planned shows without him. “I hope to be back on stage sooner rather than later,” he added, thanking fans for their concern. The guitarist last appeared live on Sunday in San Diego. The Offspring have further concerts planned for Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Garden Grove, and Mexico City, with another California date in January. Wasserman joined the group in 1985, shortly after singer Dexter Holland helped launch it. They became one of the decade’s defining punk acts with 1994’s Smash, featuring “Come Out and Play” and “Self-Esteem.”

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Country music legend John Anderson has died at 71, just days after attending a Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony in Nashville. The star—best known for his 1983 hit “Swingin’”—died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Wednesday. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend,” his family wrote in a statement posted on social media. The family described Anderson as more than a celebrated singer, remembering him as the heart of their home and a loving presence whose legacy would live on through their memories. Anderson enjoyed a decades-long career, scoring hits with songs including “Straight Tequila Night,” “Money in the Bank” and “Wild and Blue.” His achievements included the CMA’s Horizon Award and Single of the Year honors for “Swingin.’” He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024. He was back at Nashville’s CMA Theater on Sunday for the induction of Tim McGraw into the Hall of Fame.

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Whether you’re working, browsing, or gaming, if you’re spending a lot of time at a computer, you need a comfortable, supportive chair. In fact, a high-quality chair can offset many of the health issues associated with sitting for long periods of time.

The X-Tech Executive Chair is designed with six adjustable points to custom-fit your chair to your body for total support. Plus, it can recline or lock in place. Sitting in it, I could feel myself sitting with better posture, with my arms, neck, and back supported. Sitting down is accompanied by a whoosh of air as the seat adjusts automatically to best support your derrière.

X-Chair X-Tech Executive Chair

See At X-Chair

The chair is also surprisingly stylish. Desk chairs can tend to look medical rather than aesthetic, but the X-Tech Executive Chair comes in many colors and finishes (seriously, check out all the customizations) to fit your space as well as it fits your rear end. You can even add optional heating and massage.

Assembly is easy, and the shipping includes a blissfully small amount of packaging. I was able to put this together myself with the included tools and instructions in under 15 minutes. If you’re ready to get your desk set up to snuff, check out the X-Tech Executive Chair here.

Authorities have discovered a horrifying flesh-eating parasite in a wild animal for the first time after identifying an infected elk in Texas. The animal was killed by a hunter at a game ranch in Pecos County, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae devour living flesh after its eggs hatch. Livestock are particularly vulnerable, although humans can also become infected. The grim discovery has prompted federal and state officials to expand wildlife surveillance in the area. Hunters have been warned to look for maggots crawling inside injuries, foul odors, and animals displaying signs of illness. Wounds that grow larger, especially near body openings, are another possible sign. In June, authorities identified the parasite in livestock—a three-week-old Texas calf. Authorities also confirmed a human infection in the U.S. last year, though the patient recovered and investigators found no further spread. The USDA maintains the pest does not pose food-safety risks but could threaten to disrupt meat production.

A virus that usually affects livestock has been detected in a human for the first time. Authorities in France confirmed that a patient who died at a hospital in Lyon in early October had contracted the Shamonda virus, an insect-borne virus that typically affects cows and was previously considered non-transmissible to humans. Midges spread the disease, and the eastern French region where the patient fell ill had an outbreak among animals during the summer months. Officials believe the immunocompromised patient was being treated for an illness that made him more susceptible to infection. The virus was first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, with the first-ever cases in Europe confirmed in late July. Authorities stress that they have not identified any health risks to the general population following the case. Investigations into whether the virus caused or contributed to the patient’s ​death are underway. Cows affected by the virus produce less milk and suffer other symptoms such as diarrhea. Shamonda has also been found in horses, sheep, and goats.