NEW HAVEN — Lucy Ballester, the owner of Soap-Edi on Chapel Street in New Haven, said she initially wanted the stretch of the road between in front of her shop to open to two-way traffic.
Northeast
I was inside the court when the judge closed the Trump trial, what I saw shocked me: Alan Dershowitz
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
I have observed and participated in trials throughout the world. I have seen justice and injustice in China, Russia, Ukraine, England, France, Italy, Israel, as well as in nearly 40 of our 50 states.
But in my 60 years as a lawyer and law professor, I have never seen a spectacle such as the one I observed sitting in the front row of the courthouse yesterday.
The judge in Donald Trump’s trial was an absolute tyrant, though he appeared to the jury to be a benevolent despot. He seemed automatically to be ruling against the defendant at every turn.
Many experienced lawyers raised their eyebrows when the judge excluded obviously relevant evidence when offered by the defense, while including irrelevant evidence offered by the prosecution.
KEY TRUMP WITNESS, ‘ROLLS-ROYCE’ OF EXPERTS NIXED AFTER JUDGE ‘RESTRICTS’ TESTIMONY
(L-R) John Coale, Chuck Zito, attorney Alan Dershowitz, former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), and Kash Patel listen as former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives in court during his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 20, 2024, in New York City. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Dave Sanders-Pool/Getty Images)
But when the defense’s only substantive witness, the experienced attorney Robert Costello, raised his eyebrows at one of New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan’s rulings, the court went berserk.
Losing his cool and showing his thin skin, the judge cleared the courtroom of everyone including the media.
For some reason, I was allowed to stay, and I observed one of the most remarkable wrong-headed biases I have ever seen. The judge actually threatened to strike all of Costello’s testimony if he raised his eyebrows again.
That of course would have been unconstitutional because it would have denied the defendant his Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses and to raise a defense.
ALAN DERSHOWITZ RIPS NBC FOR MAKING UP ‘A WHOLE STORY’ ABOUT NY V TRUMP COURTROOM CHAT
It would have punished the defendant for something a witness was accused of doing.
Even if what Costello did was wrong, and it was not, it would be utterly improper and unlawful to strike his testimony — testimony that undercut and contradicted the government’s star witness.
The judge’s threat was absolutely outrageous, unethical, unlawful and petty.
Moreover, his affect while issuing that unconstitutional threat revealed his utter contempt for the defense and anyone who testified for the defendant.
Attorney Alan Dershowitz returns from a break during former President Donald Trump’s trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 20, 2024 in New York City. (Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images)
The public should have been able to see the judge in action, but because the case is not being televised, the public has to rely on the biased reporting of partisan journalists.
But the public was even denied the opportunity to hear from journalists who saw the judge in action because he cleared the courtroom.
I am one of the few witnesses to his improper conduct who remained behind to observe his deep failings.
Even when journalists do report on courtroom proceedings, their accounts must be taken with a grain of salt. When you watch CNN or MSNBC, you generally see an account of a trial that never took place.
NY V. TRUMP: DEFENSE RESTS TUESDAY, TRIGGERING FINAL STAGES OF HISTORIC TRIAL
They spin the events so much that reality is totally distorted.
I experienced that distortion firsthand yesterday, when I saw one of my former students and research assistants, a CNN legal analyst named Norman Eisen, during a break and went over to him and asked him about his family. We chatted for a few minutes in the most friendly way.
But NBC, the Daily Beast and other media decided to make up a story about the event. They claimed that I had a spat with my nemesis, rather than a friendly conversation with a former student. Their account was made up, yet it was circulated through the media.
To his credit, Eisen wrote to the media to correct the account, saying that the person sitting next to him would confirm the media’s false reporting. I doubt we will see a retraction.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media after arriving for court during his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 20, 2024 in New York City. (Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images)
This minor incident is simply the tip of a very large and deep iceberg of false reporting about the trial that can only occur because the proceedings are not being televised.
There are television cameras in the courtroom, and they record and transmit every word, but not to the public; only select reporters in the overflow room see what the cameras transmit.
There is absolutely no good reason why a trial of this importance, or any trial, should not be televised live and in real time. Allowing the public to see their courts in action is the best guarantee of fairness. As Justice Louis Brandeis wisely said a century ago, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
When I was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, we used to listen to the colorful account of Dodger games rendered by Red Barber on the radio.
Occasionally when I went to a game and brought my portable radio, I could hear how the “old redhead,” as we called him, colorfully elaborated and exaggerated what was occurring on the field.
Once television came along and everyone could watch the games live, the accounts became far more accurate, because we could see everything for ourselves.
A similar phenomenon would operate if trials were televised; it would force commentators to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
Today there is no check on partisan reporting of trials and exaggerations and personal opinions are rampant.
The American public is the loser.
Read the full article from Here
Continue Reading
High school football schedules for the 2026 season are coming out one-by-one out of every state around the country and one that is a breeding ground for college prospects is California, with a number of squads finalizing their fall slates.
[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]
Next up out of the state of California when it comes to their 2026 high school football schedule release are the Pittsburg Pirates, which finished within the state’s Top 25 rankings last season. Armed with an abundance of talent last fall, the Pirates concluded last season with a 42-17 win over Cardinal Newman.
The Pirates only two losses of the season came against state powerhouses Archbishop Riordan and De La Salle, respectively. Though Pittsburg has some graduations that will hit the roster, one key returner that will be back is 2028 four-star wide receiver Kenneth Ward, who caught 47 passes for 924 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 2025.
The full Pittsburg 2026 football schedule can be seen below, with all official game times to be announced at a later date.
Aug. 28 – Monterey Trail
Sep. 4 – St. John Bosco
Sep. 11 – at James Logan
Sep. 18 – at Mission Viejo
Oct. 2 – Los Gatos
Oct. 9 – Liberty
Oct. 16 – Freedom
Oct. 23 – at Deer Valley
Oct. 30 – at Antioch
Nov. 6 – at Heritage
Pittsburg went 11-2 last season and finished as the state’s No. 19 ranked team, according to the final California 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Pittsburg High School
Pittsburg High School, located in Pittsburg, California, is a comprehensive high school known for its strong academic and extracurricular programs. Established in 1924, PHS is home to the Pirates and serves a diverse student body. The school offers a range of AP courses, career technical education, and a robust athletics program. The Pirates are recognized for their competitive sports teams, particularly in football. The school fosters a supportive environment emphasizing academic achievement and community involvement.
For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across California.
Connecticut
New Haven’s Chapel Street shift from one-way to two-way traffic brings confusion, concerns
Pedestrians dash across Chapel Street where a new two-way traffic pattern has opened between College and York Streets in New Haven, Conn., Thursday, April 23, 2026.
She thought the change would bring more customers to her business, which sells bath bombs, soaps and lotions.
Article continues below this ad
“Now it’s kind of harder for them to get here,” Ballester said, who has been in the space for four years.
Chapel Street, between College Street and York Street, was converted from one-way traffic to two-way traffic starting April 20. The change is part of a broader effort to improve the safety of Chapel Street, one of New Haven’s longest, busiest and most crash-prone arteries.
Chapel Street goes through at least seven neighborhoods stretching from Fair Haven in the east through Mill River, Wooster Square, Downtown, Dwight and Edgewood, West River and Westville.
On April 23, though, New Haven crossing guards manned crosswalks, guiding pedestrians across the street and stopping traffic. Police officers sat in cars on the corners of Chapel Street where traffic change happened to make sure people weren’t driving in the wrong lane.
Article continues below this ad
One police officer said he saw 10 people drive in the wrong lane on April 22. By around 11:50 a.m. on April 23, he said he saw four people who drove in the wrong lane. He added a fifth one just moments later when a blue pickup truck turned from College Street into the wrong lane on Chapel Street.
The police officer laid on the horn at the driver.
Ballester said there’s more traffic and it is more difficult to get to and leave her shop. She also said her customers said they have to park further away to get to her. She lives in Hamden and usually Ubers to her store or she’ll sometimes drive with her husband.
“I literally don’t even want to deal with it,” Ballester said.
Article continues below this ad
Ballester said she lost parking spots in front of her store to a loading space, where a truck was unloading food on April 23.
“(The traffic) just makes the drivers angry,” Ballester said. “Just makes everybody upset.”
Balester said before there was “flow” and the cars were moving more, but now the street is congested.
Bryn McGuire, who lives in Clinton and drives to New Haven to attend classes at Gateway Community College, said the street seems “more calm” than he remembered it being. He said he’s been visiting New Haven for more than 20 years now.
Article continues below this ad
“That’s what I’d certainly like to see if it makes it more convenient to get around here, that’s great,” McGuire said. “But I think it’s very much a wait and see.”
He said he wanted to see more pedestrian infrastructure, such as bike lanes.
Plans call for Chapel Street, which already is a two-way street from Fair Haven to College Street, eventually to be open to two-way traffic all the way to Ellsworth Avenue, where it currently becomes two-way as it crosses Ella T. Grasso Boulevard into Westville.
The announcement came just over a year and a half after New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, joined by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, announced an $11 million federal grant for the “Chapel Street Safe Streets Project.”
Article continues below this ad
At the time of the announcement, nearly 900 accidents had taken place over four years along Chapel Street between State Street and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, including three fatalities and 18 serious injuries, according to the University of Connecticut’s Connecticut Crash Data Repository, officials said at the time.
This story includes reporting by staff writer Mark Zaretsky.
1. South Portland
South Portland has won the past two Class A outdoor track and field championships — and the most recent indoor title — with a similar recipe. The Red Riots have had one or two individuals who can win events, sometimes multiple events, and then lots of quality depth. They appear to have the same combo working this spring, and that’s why they’re the favorites to three-peat. Bossay Ditanduka emerged this winter as one of the state’s top sprinters. He’s a top-three contender in the 100, 200, 400 and long jump. Devin Berry is Class A’s top returning 110-meter hurdler. Michael Lawlor, a senior, has been a key component to each championship as an 800-meter specialist (third at indoor states this winter) and relay runner. Coach Dave Kahill expects points to come in the hurdles from Caleb Ramsell (also a high jumper and triple jumper), Isaac Arey and Gabe Babineau. Ramsell and Arey were fifth and sixth in the indoor hurdles. Ambrosio Mputu (third indoors in 55), Jared LaRose (also high jump and pole vault), Lamed Khelendende and Remy Kiala add sprint depth. Senior race walker Folsom Lamer and junior Anthony Nielsen (sixth indoors in 800) are scoring threats. Lewiston is South Portland’s highest-rated challenger.
2. Portland
The Bulldogs were fifth last year in Class A and graduated some top performers, like 1,600-meter champ Aran Johnson. It’s unlikely this year’s team will have an individual state champion, but it does have seven returners who have placed at a state meet in Brinelle Kubelo (sixth in 110 hurdles), Aziz Mohamed (fifth outdoors and indoors in 400), Liam Alexander (fifth indoors and outdoors in 800), Owen Blades (seventh outdoors in 800), Cordell Jones (fourth in high jump), Ben Mbongo (eighth indoors and outdoors in long jump), and Griffin Lavertu (1,600 relay). Coach Frank Myatt thinks freshman Josh Muanda (fourth indoors in 400) will be a factor in the sprints. The 3,200 relay team won the event indoors and is the defending outdoor champ.
3. Greely
Coach David Dowling points out that the Rangers graduated four multi-event scorers from last year’s team that won the Class B title by 26 points over Lincoln Academy. So a runaway win probably won’t happen, but Greely did claim this year’s indoor crown and has proven returners. Kannon Crocker won the Class B title in 200 and placed in hurdles. Sophomore Jackson Walton was the indoor long jump champ and sixth in the 200. Those two were on Greely’s second-place 400 relay team last spring. Pole vault should also be a strength, with seniors Nate Kim and Camden Wengler, who were third and sixth indoors after placing fifth and sixth outdoors in 2025. Greely showed its depth by winning the indoor 800 relay and placing second in the 3,200 relay.
4. Bonny Eagle
Deering and Gorham are also in the Class A mix to be a top-five team, but we give a slight edge to the Scots’ well-rounded quality. Junior sprinter Drew Gervais is a threat to win both the 100 and 200, with the top time among returnees in both events. Junior shot putter Wyatt Cyr is coming off a second-place showing indoors with a best throw over 53 feet. He will also compete in discus. Senior Caden Cooper has the third-best returning Class A time in the 300 hurdles. Sophomore Ben Havu is an emerging talent in the javelin (No. 2 Class A returner) and triple jump. Dom Metayer (race walk) and Parker Moore (800 and 1,600) are also scoring threats. The sprint relays look strong. Hurdles and jumps are an area to improve.
5. Freeport
The Falcons placed fifth in Class B last spring and second at this winter’s indoor championship. While Greely’s strength is in the sprints, the Falcons have an excellent distance program led by senior Alex Gilbert, who will likely run the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 at the state meet and place in the top three in each — with wins possible at the longer distances. Junior Ian Guzman won the 800 indoors. Brady Webber is a likely scorer in the hurdles and high jump. Tyler Burns was fifth in the indoor triple jump. Senior Jack Brogan is new to outdoor track after placing third in the indoor 400. Senior Dietrick Schulz qualified for states and finished in the top 12 in both shot put and discus last spring.
-
Indianapolis, IN5 minutes agoCost of living tops Indiana voters’ minds as primary nears
-
Pittsburg, PA11 minutes agoCalifornia High School Football: Pittsburg releases schedule
-
Augusta, GA17 minutes agoValette Earns Elite 18 Award; Augusta Men’s Tennis Lands Three on Peach Belt All-Conference Teams – Augusta University
-
Washington, D.C23 minutes agoHow to find towed car in DC; What to do if the city tows my car
-
Cleveland, OH29 minutes agoCleveland News and Notes – Guardians Drop Series Against Astros
-
Austin, TX35 minutes ago
Athletes Race at USA Triathlon Cross National Championships in Austin, Texas
-
Alabama41 minutes agoAlabama boy’s secret Facebook post asking for cancer drug grabs national attention
-
Alaska47 minutes agoDemocratic U.S. House PAC has Alaska in its sights
