Northeast
Friends of Joshua Riibe, witness in case of missing American student, say the community 'stands behind' him
A key witness in the case of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has the support of his community, according to a statement released by friends of his family on Sunday evening.
Konanki, a 20-year-old Virginia resident, was last seen walking on the beach outside the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in the early hours of March 6, according to authorities.
The lone known eyewitness in the case, 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, of Iowa, has been questioned by authorities from various agencies as they seek answers in Konanki’s disappearance. He was one of the last people seen with Konanki while they were staying at the resort with their friends for spring break.
Friends of the Riibe family released a statement affirming their support for the college student, who has been described as a “key element” in the missing person investigation. He has not been named a suspect, nor has any crime been alleged.
DOMINICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL GRILLS WITNESS IN MISSING AMERICAN CASE AT HIS RESORT IN PERSON
Sudiksha Konanki has been missing since March 6, when she vanished during a spring break trip to a five-star resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (Sudiksha Konanki/Facebook)
“The Rock Rapids community stands behind and supports Joshua Riibe and his family,” the statement, which was released by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office on behalf of friends of the Riibe family, said. “The Riibe family moved to town in 2015 and has been active in various school and community events and organizations. They are well known and loved.”
“Josh has an unwavering devotion to his faith and a genuine kindness towards others,” the statement continued. “He exemplifies the values of compassion, respect and integrity that are fundamental to our church and our community.”
U.S. college student Sudiksha Konanki went missing while on vacation with her friends in Punta Cana on March 6, 2025. (Fox News Graphics)
The friends who wrote the statement urged the public to respect the Riibe family’s privacy “during this difficult time of uncertainty.”
“While Josh focuses his efforts to help find Sudiksha Konanki, his family at home is providing support to their loved ones in the Dominican Republic. Please help us respect those priorities,” the statement concluded.
AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT DISAPPEARS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: TIMELINE
Local authorities search for missing U.S. student Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Friday, March 14, 2025. (Fox News Digital)
Riibe has been joined in the Dominican Republic by his parents.
Authorities revealed Saturday that his passport had been confiscated.
Read the full article from Here
New Hampshire
State investigation highlights communication lapses over proposed ICE facility in Merrimack
New Jersey
Newark man arrested in fatal New Jersey Chick-Fil-A shooting
A Newark man has been arrested and charged with murder after police said he opened fire in a New Jersey Chick-fil-A, killing a man and leaving six other people hurt.
Jaheed Fields was busted nearly three weeks after the shooting in the Union Township fast food shop, county prosecutor William Daniel announced Friday.
Fields, 20, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder, as well as unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
“The brazen nature of this incident, occurring in a crowded restaurant where people should feel safe, was an affront to our citizens and the security they deserve,” Daniel said.
“This arrest is a testament to the meticulous work and seamless coordination between all of the law enforcement agencies involved, and a reminder that Union County will never tolerate acts of lawlessness that threaten our residents.”
Officials did not reveal a motive for the shooting.
Fields allegedly fired several rounds inside the Chick-fil-A around 9 p.m. on April 11, with witnesses describing the scene as a “warzone.”
Malek Shepherd, 23, of New York City, was killed at the scene, police said.
Six other victims were taken to area hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses at the time said a group of masked men charged into the shop and fired multiple shots after forcing their way behind the counter.
It’s unclear if additional arrests were expected.
Rhode Island
50 kids who’ve survived cancer to walk the runway at annual RI gala
Next month, 50 kids from across New England will be dressed in their best as they walk the runway at this year’s Glimmer Gala.
It’s an evening for childhood cancer survivors to feel like celebrities.
“For them, not only do they get to feel like a normal kid doing a normal activity, but they get to feel larger than life,” said Alison Hornung, founder and CEO of the Glimmer of Hope Foundation. “I hear the kids go into their classrooms after and say, ‘I got to walk the runway show and I got to do a photo shoot.’”
Breanna Marie Breanna Marie
That photo shoot and shopping spree are something each child, like 6-year-old Bella Berg from Lexington, gets to take part in.
“For everything that they go through and that loss of identity, it really makes them feel like they’re beautiful and strong, inside and outside,” Hornung said.
The Glimmer of Hope Foundation started six years ago. It brings hope to families whose children are battling cancer. This year’s gala is expected to be their biggest yet, with at least 500 people expected to attend.
Breanna Marie Breanna Marie
The goal is to give the kids confidence and make them feel special.
“They get to be alongside kids that are going through the same thing as them, so they don’t feel different,” said Hornung. “They just feel seen and understood.”
The Glimmer Gala takes place Saturday June 13 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Click here for more.
-
Nevada5 minutes agoHeirloom by Ovation opens affordable senior housing community
-
New Hampshire11 minutes agoState investigation highlights communication lapses over proposed ICE facility in Merrimack
-
New Jersey17 minutes agoNewark man arrested in fatal New Jersey Chick-Fil-A shooting
-
New Mexico23 minutes agoMassive Landspout Caught On Camera In New Mexico | Weather.com
-
North Dakota35 minutes agoCase of measles reported in western North Dakota county
-
Ohio41 minutes agoGovernor DeWine announces Ohio sales tax holiday
-
Oklahoma47 minutes agoFive Sooners Who Need to Have a Big Summer for Oklahoma
-
Oregon53 minutes agoFederal agents to investigate after explosives found in Oregon vehicle crash that killed 1