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Mailman's family breaks silence after father of 2 killed on lunch break

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Mailman's family breaks silence after father of 2 killed on lunch break

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A 24-year-old transgender New Yorker has been charged with murder for allegedly knifing a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in the stomach while he was waiting in line to buy lunch.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) identified the victim as Ray Hodge III, a 36-year-old postal carrier and father of two. Police said he suffered multiple stab wounds after an argument broke out while the two were standing in line. He was on duty at the time of the attack.

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“We are extremely hurt and saddened by the loss of my brother,” his brother Ed Rice told Fox News Digital in the family’s first public remarks. “He was a remarkable person and touched a lot of people in a positive manner. We have been silent in our grieving and are handling my brother’s affairs.”

SUSPECT CHARGED IN FATAL STABBING OF POSTAL WORKER IN NYC DELI OVER SPOT IN LINE HAS HISTORY OF KNIFE VIOLENCE

USPS postal carrier Ray Hodge III delivers the mail in an undated family photo provided by his brother, Ed Rice. (Courtesy of Ed RIce)

He also shared a GoFundMe campaign to help the family cover funeral costs.

“Ray touched the lives of everyone he interacted with,” the fundraiser reads. “Ray was a hardworking, honorable and good man whose life epitomized his values and his willingness to help others. Ray touched the lives of so many and we all are truly blessed to have known and had the opportunity to love him.”

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Hodge’s suspected killer has been identified as Jaia Cruz, also known as Alvin. Video shows police escorting Cruz out of the NYPD’s 28th Precinct on Thursday. 

The 6-foot-4-inch suspect’s face was hidden inside a sweatshirt, and Cruz did not respond to shouted questions from reporters.

Jaia Cruz, 24, in handcuffs and transported by the NYPD from the 28th Precinct after being charged with stabbing a USPS worker to death in a deli while working in Harlem. (Kyle Mazza/SOPA Images/Sipa USA)

Cruz allegedly spit in the victim’s face then drove the knife into his stomach in a fight that broke out over their places in line, according to the New York Post.

The attack happened around 2:30 p.m. Thursday at a deli on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. Police found Hodge with multiple stab wounds to his torso, neck and arms, and he was rushed to Harlem Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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NYPD MAKES ARREST IN FATAL STABBING OF ON-DUTY POSTAL WORKER

Hodge’s colleagues at the USPS remembered him as a “great, kind soul” on social media. 

A flyer with information about the memorial services for USPS postal carrier Ray Hodge III, who was killed in a New York City stabbing Thursday while on his lunch break. (Courtesy of Ed Rice)

The suspect, Cruz, has a criminal record that includes prior acts of knife violence, including a mugging.

Cruz’s attorney waived his client’s right to appear Wednesday, and arraignment was scheduled for Jan. 22.

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As the New York case moves forward, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Postal Service’s law enforcement arm, is asking anyone with additional information on the case to call investigators at 1-877-876-2455.

The NYPD has charged Jaia Cruz in the fatal stabbing of a USPS worker inside a Harlem deli on Thursday afternoon. (Peter Gerber)

“The Postal Inspection Service takes matters involving the safety and well-being of postal service employees as a top priority,” a USPIS spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “We are working diligently with the New York City Police Department on this investigation.”

The slaying comes months after Chicago police arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the ambush murder of a mail carrier in the Windy City. Octavia Redmond, 48, was killed on July 19 when the teen allegedly jumped out of a stolen SUV and opened fire, according to the USPIS.

She was also on duty at the time.

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Jaia Cruz is suspected of stabbing the USPS employee multiple times during an argument at a deli in Harlem where the mail carrier was waiting to buy lunch. (Kyle Mazza/SOPA Images/Sipa USA)

“We know that we have to continue delivery every day. That’s the motto: rain, sleet or snow we go,” one of her colleagues, Elise Foster, told FOX 32 Chicago at the time. “We don’t do bullets. We can’t do them.”

The NYPD has charged Jaia Cruz in the fatal stabbing of a USPS worker inside a Harlem deli on Thursday afternoon. (Peter Gerber)

Fox News’ Louis Casiano and Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.

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Boston, MA

Jaylen Brown says Celtics showed ‘lack of respect’ after trade to 76ers – The Boston Globe

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Jaylen Brown says Celtics showed ‘lack of respect’ after trade to 76ers – The Boston Globe


Amid several reports that said Brown didn’t request a trade and that Boston actually thought Derrick White was the best player on the 2025-26 roster, an already motivated Brown now has an even larger chip on his shoulder after the Celtics dealt him away. ​

“The message was received,” Brown said. “I wasn’t thrilled with the amount of respect that was shown throughout this process. I think there was a bit of a lack of respect. I think it was fine at one point, then out of nowhere, things just went left. I think Brad [Stevens] is getting a lot of the criticism. I wasn’t thrilled with the way he facilitated some of the conversations.”

After the Celtics fell short in their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo — Brown was the centerpiece of Boston’s trade package — Stevens was noncommittal when asked about Brown’s future in Boston.

“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Stevens said. “I’m never going to predict the future, but every indication, everything that I think about over the past few years has been building around those guys, right? So obviously, you never know. But at the same time, the one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been.​​”

“He’s been amazing. He’s been an amazing teammate, a great person to be around. And whether that run ends 10 years from now when he retires, or before, there’s a lot to celebrate. We have a great relationship, an open relationship where we talk about everything. But I don’t want to predict the future. I look at it as, this is our team.”

Stevens traded Brown to the 76ers on Wednesday in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. The deal was widely criticized.

For Brown, the most puzzling aspect was the lack of an explanation.

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“I definitely think there’s more to it,” Brown said. “I just wish that more to it could’ve been explained to me. Because I think if more to it was explained, I would’ve understood. I thought I earned the respect to get that explanation. But hey, obviously, I was wrong. That’s life. You move on.”

Brown will now join a 76ers team that, with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and V. J. Edgecombe already in place, could be poised to leapfrog Boston in the Eastern Conference.

“I don’t want [any] special treatment, I don’t need no handouts … I plan on earning my respect one day at a time by putting in the work,” Brown said of playing for Philadelphia. “I’m looking forward to getting in the gym, the whole process.”

“The hard part is, the last 10 years, I’ve been programmed to hate Philadelphia. The history of the rivalry, the playoff battles … I’ve been programmed to think like, ‘[Expletive] The Process’. It’s funny, now I’ve got to reverse-engineer it. But I’ll be ready to go by the time the season starts.”


Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.

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Pittsburg, PA

Fireworks Near Me: July 4th Events Around USC, Pittsburgh For 2026

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Fireworks Near Me: July 4th Events Around USC, Pittsburgh For 2026


The 90-foot tall Ferris wheel will run from July 1 through July 5 on the North Shore. Tickets are on sale now and 50% of all proceeds will be donated to the Veterans Leadership Program. Tickets can be purchased at: pittsburghpa.gov/july4.

The BNY Main Stage at Point State Park will have entertainment starting at 4 p.m. Headlining the performances will be Grammy- and Tony-Award nominated national pop rock band the Plain White T’s. Shows are free,

As part of the National Flag Foundation’s Light to Unite, the city’s skyscrapers will be illuminated in red, white and blue across Downtown at 9 p.m.

The city’s fireworks spectacular is set to be the city’s largest fireworks display in decades. For the first time, there will be a drone performance immediately before the fireworks start.

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The fireworks show will utilize six barges on all three rivers – and some rooftops. Fireworks will begin at 9:35 PM on July 4.





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Connecticut

Motorcyclist seriously injured after crashing into parked, unoccupied vehicle in Meriden

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Motorcyclist seriously injured after crashing into parked, unoccupied vehicle in Meriden


MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A motorcyclist has serious injuries after a crash early Friday morning in Meriden, according to police.

The crash happened just after 3:00 a.m. in the area of Lincoln Street. The motorcyclist was navigating a turn when they struck a parked, unoccupied vehicle, police said.

Motorcyclist seriously injured in Meriden crash, July 3, 2026.

The motorcyclist was taken to an area trauma center, according to police.

A section of Lincoln Street is blocked for the investigation, police said.

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Meriden’s accident investigation team responded to the scene.

Additional information was not immediately available.


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Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.



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