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Adnan Syed of 'Serial' podcast fame has Maryland murder conviction upheld as court rules in ex's slaying

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Adnan Syed of 'Serial' podcast fame has Maryland murder conviction upheld as court rules in ex's slaying

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Maryland’s Supreme Court reinstated Adnan Syed’s murder conviction Friday, ruling the 2022 court hearing that freed the accused killer violated the rights of his alleged victim’s family.

The 4-3 ruling came nearly a year after the court heard arguments in October in the case that gained notoriety from the hit 2014 true-crime podcast “Serial.” 

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Syed was convicted in 2000 of killing high school ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee after she was found strangled to death in an unmarked grave, and he was initially sentenced to life in prison, plus 30 years.

In September 2022, a Baltimore court overturned Syed’s conviction after city prosecutors found flaws in their evidence after Syed had served 22 years behind bars.

ADNAN SYED ASKS MARYLAND COURT TO RECONSIDER MURDER CONVICTION RULING

Adnan Syed gets emotional as he speaks to reporters outside the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal building after a hearing Feb. 2, 2023, in Annapolis, Md. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/The Baltimore Sun via AP, File)

The panel of seven judges wrote in its ruling that Lee’s family had a right to participate in the 2022 hearing, saying that the victim’s brother Young Lee, was not given reasonable notice and, therefore, not treated with “dignity, respect and sensitivity.”

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“In an effort to remedy what they perceived to be an injustice to Mr. Syed, the prosecutor and the circuit court worked an injustice against Mr. Lee,” the justices wrote in their decision. 

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The panel said Syed, who was 17 when he was arrested and is now 43, can remain free as the case heads to a new lower court judge to determine again whether his conviction can be tossed out. 

The Lee family must be given notice of the new hearing “sufficient to provide Mr. Lee with a reasonable opportunity to attend such a hearing in person” and speak out if he chooses.

FORMER BALTIMORE PROSECUTOR ATTENDS BARBECUE HELD IN HER HONOR WHILE ON HOME DETENTION

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Adnan Syed was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2000 for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee when he was 17 years old. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Yusuf Syed)

David Sanford, an attorney who represents Lee’s family, told The Associated Press the higher court’s ruling “acknowledges what Hae Min Lee’s family has argued: Crime victims have a right to be heard in court.”

But Syed’s lawyer, Erica Suter, argued that the state did meet its obligation and invited Young Lee to participate in the hearing via video conference.

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The ruling is the latest twist in Syed’s long legal battle. In 2019, a court ruled 4-3 to deny the accused killer another trial. A lower court had ordered a retrial in 2015 on the grounds Syed’s attorney, Cristina Gutierrez, didn’t contact an alibi witness and therefore did not provide effective counsel, according to the AP.

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The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the court’s decision.

ADNAN SYED CHARGES DROPPED AS BALTIMORE PROSECUTORS ABANDON CASE AGAINST ‘SERIAL’ PODCAST SUBJECT

A tribute to Hae Min Lee, Class of 1999, in a Woodlawn High School yearbook. Lee was abducted and killed in 1999, and classmate Adnan Syed was convicted of her murder in 2000.  (Getty Images)

Prosecutors chose to vacate Syed’s sentence in 2022 after reviewing evidence in his case under a Maryland law that targeted “juvenile lifers” because he was under 18 when Hae Min Lee’s body was found.

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They said they used “advanced DNA” testing to determine that Syed was not responsible for Hae’s murder and pointed to other potential suspects, including one who had allegedly threatened Hae and another linked to an address where her car was later discovered. 

“The state no longer has confidence in the integrity of the conviction,” prosecutors said at the time. 

Syed has maintained his innocence, often expressing concern for the victim’s family, according to the AP.



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New Hampshire

New Hampshire voters urged to verify registration – Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

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New Hampshire voters urged to verify registration – Monadnock Ledger-Transcript


New Hampshire residents are being encouraged to check their voter registration status ahead of upcoming elections, according to information provided by the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire.

Any U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old and resides in the state has the constitutional right to vote. However, residents who have moved, changed their name or not voted recently may need to re-register. Even those who believe they are registered are advised to confirm their status, as voters can occasionally be removed from rolls without notice.

Voters can check their registration by visiting their local town or city clerk’s office or by using the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s online voter information lookup tool.

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Under updated procedures effective June 2, 2026, residents may register to vote either in advance at their clerk’s office or on Election Day at their polling place. New Hampshire does not offer online voter registration.

To register, voters must provide proof of identity, age, residency and citizenship, such as a driver’s license, passport, utility bill or birth certificate.

When voting in person, a government-issued photo ID is required. Absentee voting remains available for those unable to appear at the polls due to illness, disability, work obligations, travel or religious reasons, though additional identification requirements for absentee ballots have been in place since 2025.

The League of Women Voters encourages residents to verify their registration early to avoid delays or complications on Election Day.

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New Jersey

Supreme Court sides with NJ anti-abortion group over state inquiry

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Supreme Court sides with NJ anti-abortion group over state inquiry



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In a rare unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a New Jersey-based anti-abortion group on Wednesday, April 29 in its efforts to challenge a subpoena by the state Attorney General’s Office to disclose donor information.

The nine justices ruled that the subpoena violated the First Amendment rights of First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, since the court has long held that disclosing affiliation with an advocacy group could be a restraint on the freedom of association.

The conflict dates back to 2023 when Matt Platkin, New Jersey’s attorney general at the time, opened an investigation into First Choice, a religious nonprofit organization that has provided counseling and resources to pregnant women in New Jersey since 1985. It does not perform or refer pregnant women for abortions, according to its website.

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Among the documents demanded in a subpoena were the names, phone numbers, addresses, and places of employment of donors.

First Choice, which has locations in Montclair, Morristown, Newark and Jersey City, filed a lawsuit in federal court to prevent investigators from receiving donor information, arguing that it would discourage donors from associating with it by removing their anonymity.

Both a lower court and appellate court dismissed First Choice’s lawsuit, but the Supreme Court decided in June of 2025 to hear the case.

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Platkin defended his subpoena

Platkin defended his decision last year, saying his office issued a “lawful subpoena in November 2023 to ensure that First Choice was complying with all relevant state laws.

“Non-profits, including crisis pregnancy centers, may not deceive or defraud residents in our state, and we may exercise our traditional investigative authority to ensure that they are not doing so — as we do to protect New Jerseyans from a range of harms,” he said in the statement.

Crisis pregnancy centers provide services to pregnant women with the goal of dissuading them from having an abortion. Such centers often do not clearly advertise their anti-abortion stance, and abortion rights advocates have called them deceptive.

The backdrop to this case is the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide. It effectively allowed state legislatures to decide whether to outlaw abortions.

Not long after, Platkin’s office issued a consumer alert that warned the public that crisis pregnancy centers do not provide abortions and noted that such facilities “may also provide false or misleading information about abortion.” A year later the subpoena was issued.

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But the question of whether the facilities acted deceptively was not before the Supreme Court. Rather, the case explored whether First Choice has the legal basis to bring a constitutional challenge to the subpoena in federal court, or if it must continue litigating the matter in state court, where the case is ongoing.

Among those celebrating the decision was the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, which said groups like First Choice should be able to challenge subpoenas that may be used to target them because of their stances on social issues.

“It is crucial for advocacy organizations — wherever they fall on the political spectrum — to have a legal path to fight retaliatory conduct by government officials,” Jeanne LoCicero, legal director of the group, said in a statement.

This article contains information from Reuters.



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Pennsylvania

Make a day trip out of Pennsylvania theme parks on USAT 10BEST lists

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Make a day trip out of Pennsylvania theme parks on USAT 10BEST lists


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  • Pennsylvania has the second-most winners in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for theme parks and water parks, trailing only Florida.
  • The state is home to the most No. 1 ranked attractions, including best roller coaster, water slide, theme park hotel, and theme park restaurant.
  • Knoebels, Kennywood, and Hersheypark were all recognized as top-10 theme parks in the nation.
  • Several Pennsylvania attractions won awards across multiple categories, including roller coasters, water slides, and theme park dining.

Pennsylvania is one of the top places in the country for theme parks and water parks, according to USA TODAY readers, and all the best attractions are just close enough to South Central Pennsylvania for a day trip.

Seventeen of the winners in USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks are in Pennsylvania. There are 18 if you include Great Wolf Lodge, which has a location in the Poconos.

With 24 winners, only Florida tops the Keystone State with top-10 attractions. No other state comes close to the top two.

But how do you measure which is the best? Florida has the most attractions on the list, but Pennsylvania is home to the most No. 1’s (roller coaster, water slide, theme park hotel, theme park restaurant). Florida attractions don’t even top a single category, and both states are missing from two categories.

Here are the Pennsylvania attractions that won USAT’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks. Start planning that day trip — we included each attraction’s travel distance from Chambersburg.

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No. 5: Splash Lagoon, located in Erie, is a Polynesia-themed indoor water park that is home to one of the biggest indoor wave pools in the Eastern U.S. It also features nine water slides — in one tube, slides can go as fast as 40 mph — as well as on-site restaurants, bars and shops. Distance from Chambersburg: 277 miles; about 4 hours, 23 minutes

No. 8: Aquatopia Indoor Water Park, located at Camelback Resort, Tannersville (the Poconos), boasts seven pools, 13 slides, an adventure river, a water play structure with gadgets and interactive elements. Thrill-seekers will love Storm Chaser, one of the longest indoor uphill water coasters in North America. The 125,000-square-foot indoor park has a transparent roof, so indoor guests can work on their tan no matter the season. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 55 minutes.

Best Lazy River: Runaway River, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom

No. 10: Runaway River at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown is a relatively serene, meandering float. Riders can enjoy fun elements like mushroom rain umbrella fountains, cascading waterfalls and surprising blowholes. The course is made up of a nice balance of peaceful stretches and sections of gentle rapids, so the ride is both relaxing and entertaining. Distance from Chambersburg: 130 miles; about 2 hours

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Best Roller Coaster: Phoenix at Knoebels, Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood, Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer and Water World, Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark

No. 1: The Phoenix at Knoebels, Elysburg, is a classic wooden roller coaster that proves that newer, taller and faster aren’t always better. Phoenix offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills, as well as thrills in the form of a double out-and-back layout and speeds of 45 miles per hour. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours

No. 2: Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood, West Mifflin, features a 3,365-foot-long track that brings visitors frighteningly close to another of the park’s coasters, Thunderbolt. A hair-raising highlight is the ride’s second drop — a 232-foot thriller at 85 miles per hour. Distance from Chambersburg: 148 miles; about 2 hours, 40 minutes

No. 5: Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer and Water World, Erie, is the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Pennsylvania, featuring an exhilarating 120-foot first drop and a top speed of 60 miles per hour. The coaster crosses over Pennsylvania Route 832 via a huge bridge, mimicking the path of the original Ravine Flyer from 1922. This hybrid coaster boasts airtime hills, tunnels and a 90-degree banked turn, delivering a relentless and thrilling ride.  Distance from Chambersburg: 282 miles; about 4 and a half hours

No. 10: Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark, Hershey, mixes past and present. Hersheypark added steel to an existing wooden track to come up with an entirely new hybrid ride that opened in 2023. This coaster climbs to the dizzying height of 140 feet, hits 62 miles per hour, and takes riders through four inversions and an 82-degree drop. The coaster also boasts the world’s largest underflip inversion for even more thrills. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes

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Best Theme Park: Knoebels, Kennywood, Hersheypark

No. 2: Knoebels, Elysburg, is a vintage amusement park in Pennsylvania’s coal country. The rare amusement park that’s still free to enter (rides require old-school tickets), Knoebels is home to Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the United States. And it’s a virtual museum of still-operating classic rides like Whipper, Flying Turns and the Haunted Mansion dark ride. Add in some modern thrills and water rides, and you have the perfect mix for a relaxed yet thrilling day in the park. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours

No. 4: Kennywood, West Mifflin, brings history and iconic rides together in one place. Witness over 120 years of innovation in classic favorites that include wooden roller coasters like the side-by-side Racer, the intense Thunderbolt and the circa-1920 Jack Rabbit. Plus, there’s an unmatched collection of dark rides like the Old Mill and the last-of-its-kind Noah’s Ark, as well as modern thrill rides like the Steel Curtain coaster. Distance from Chambersburg: 148 miles; about 2 hours, 40 minutes

No. 10: Hersheypark, Hershey, is the amusement park of every chocolate lover’s dreams. Hersheypark features 121 acres with more than 70 rides (including 15 coasters), a water park and an 11-acre zoo — all accessible via a single admission. Wildcat’s Revenge, the first hybrid coaster manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction in Pennsylvania, boasts four inversions, including the world’s largest underflip. Candymonium — the park’s tallest, fastest and longest hyper coaster — debuted in 2020. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes

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No. 1: The Hotel Hershey in Hershey provides a sweet spot to lay your head, whether you’re in town to take the Hershey’s Chocolate factory tour, check out Hersheypark or you’re just in the mood for a little pampering with a cocoa-infused spa treatment. A member of Historic Hotels of America, the four-star Hotel Hershey is an elegant retreat and offers a wide range of sports and recreation facilities where you can work off all those tasty treats, including a fitness center, golf, tennis, hiking trails and a pool with waterslides. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes

No. 1: The Alamo at Knoebels, Elysburg, is as friendly to the pocketbook at it is to families. The menu at this eatery, located on the park’s main boulevard, includes everything from hamburgers and hotdogs to heartier options like deep-fried crab cakes, chicken and waffles, and spaghetti and meatballs. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours

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Best Water Coaster: Storm Chaser at Aquatopia, Breakers Edge at Hersheypark’s Boardwalk

No. 6: Storm Chaser at Aquatopia Indoor Water Park, Tannersville (in the Poconos), is one of the longest indoor uphill water coasters on the continent. The ride features five steep plummets and loads of twists, turns and blasts. Guests can ride solo, but Aquatopia recommends riding the coaster in pairs for maximum fun. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 55 minutes.

No. 8: Breakers Edge Water Coaster at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark, Hershey, is a fast-paced, hydromagnetic water coaster that launches four-person rafts through a series of exhilarating drops, high-speed tunnels and uphill climbs powered by linear induction motors. Riders experience airtime, g-force curves, tunnels, saucers and lots of splashes. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes

No. 1: VR Waterslide at Kalahari Resorts, Pocono Manor, brings virtual reality to water slides. Choose from a safari adventure, space exploration or a dragon experience, then get ready to slide on down for 40 seconds of thrills that will have you feeling out of this world. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 45 minutes

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Best Wave Pool: The Shore at Hersheypark’s Boardwalk, Wave Pool at Dorney Park’s Wildwater Kingdom

No. 6: The Shore at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, Hershey, is a 378,000-gallon wave pool that is the perfect place to cool off in the summertime with your entire crew. Lounge in the shallow end, or venture into the waves in the 6-foot deep end — the choice is yours! Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutesNo. 10: The Wave Pool at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown, holds over 560,000 gallons of water and is as large as a football field. With depths ranging from 0 to 6 feet, you’ll enjoy waves on a five-minute on, five-minute off cycle so you can enjoy some excitement and then some downtime under the sun. Distance from Chambersburg: 130 miles; about 2 hours

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.



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