• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

House Speaker Mike Johnson Denies Request For Rev. Jesse Jackson To Lie In Honor At U.S. Capitol

Sources say Johnson cited precedent over how other high-profile figure deaths were handled.

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) claims precedent, not politics, lies in his decision to deny Rev. Jesse Jackson to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol, CNN reports. 

The request came from the Jackson family just days after the civil rights icon died at 84. For high-profile or political deaths, lying in honor involves having the casket of the deceased placed in the Capitol Rotunda for the public to come and pay final respects. 

Sources close to the matter said Johnson’ refusal comes from how recent high-profile figure deaths were handle such as former Vice President Dick Cheney and controversial conservative analyst Charlie Kirk. The practice is typically reserved for past presidents, select military officials, and government officials.

It was last done for former President Jimmy Carter in January 2025. 

Since Jackson’s death on Feb. 17, Democrats and Republicans alike have paid homage to his decades-long career working for activism in the Black community and for his work in politics and international affairs. Even President Donald Trump described Jackson repeatedly as a “good man.”

While the Jackson family continues to explore alternate locations in Washington, such as Howard University, the Washington National Cathedral, and the National Museum of African American History (NMAAH), the fight isn’t over. 

According to the Chicago Sun Times, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), scheduled to return to Washington for Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 24, is actively pursuing options for Jackson to have a Rotunda viewing. 

The Trump administration is also receiving backlash on social media for not ordering American flags to be at half-staff in Jackson’s honor, something they did almost right away for Kirk.

But some leaders at both state and city levels, like North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson, made sure to do the right thing. 

There will be several opportunities for those who admired Jackson to pay their respects. His body will lie in repose on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters, his nonprofit known as an alliance of Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and the LGBTQ, community in Chicago. 

There will also be formal services in his home state of South Carolina and in Washington, D.C.

RELATED CONTENT: Jesse Jackson Played Football at North Carolina A&T

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

Abby Phillip Says RFK Jr. Stole Michelle Obama’s Health Campaign Ideas

Phillip showcased a montage of Republican strategists and leaders bashing Michelle Obama's 2010 “Let’s Move!” health campaign, which is now being celebrated -- but in a different color.

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CNN’s Abby Phillip questioned why the new “Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)” campaign from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is getting support from Republican leaders when it looks vaguely familiar to former first lady Michelle Obama’s 2010 “Let’s Move!” initiative.

In a bizarre “Rock Out Work Out” video featuring Kennedy Jr. and Kid Rock working out in jeans, shirtless, dipping into ice baths, and drinking whole milk in hot tubs, the men called for the American people to “get active and eat real food.”  

Phillip called the secretary out for mimicking the 2010 campaign, sharing almost identical ideologies. “But if that sounds very familiar to you, that’s because it is,” the news anchor said. She included clips of Republican leaders and strategists going against Obama’s initiative, including a clip of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson saying, “Why would you want to raise your own kids when Michelle Obama will do it for you?” 

Conservative commentator Glenn Beck said, “When I heard this, I thought, get your damn hands off my fries, lady.” “If I want to be a fat, fat, fatty and shovel french fries all day long, that is my choice,” he continued. 

So what changed? 

Phillip issued the question to fellow commentators asking if they felt conservatives and Republicans would “ever admit that they were wrong to lampoon Michelle Obama for basically common sense?” Xochitl Hinojosa, who once served as communications director for the Democratic National Committee, said “absolutely not.” “I think that Michelle Obama’s initiative was geared toward families and children, making sure people are active and eating healthy,” she said, according to Daily Beast. 

“This RFK video, or whatever this is, was a vanity project.”

The first Black first lady in American history was celebrated by parents for her healthy campaign, even partnering with beloved Sesame Street resident, Big Bird. But former Obama White House chef and food policy adviser who led the first lady’s initiative, Sam Kass, said Kennedy’s MAHA is somewhat at the fault of Democrats, who he said “absolutely blundered this issue.” 

He said the party left room for MAHA influencers and loyalists to thrive. “So are they hypocrites for that? Certainly,” the chef said, according to Politico. 

“But I welcome Republican support on trying to genuinely improve the health of the nation.”

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• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

Juliana Stratton’s U.S Senate Campaign Says Silent Thoughts Out Loud: ‘F*** Trump!’

With the support of the governor, Stratton is attempting to set herself up as a front runner against main rivals, U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly ahead of the March 17 primary to fill the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin who is retiring.

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Illinois’ Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said what’s on the minds of many people out loud in a new campaign video for U.S. Senate: “F*** Trump.” 

Her bold campaign video hosts several supporters encouraging voters to say “F**** Trump” and “Vote Juliana.” The Southside Chicago native comes out swinging, letting voters know she isn’t scared to take on a “wanna be dictator” and that she is running for Senate to stand up to President Donald Trump.

“I will abolish ICE and hold Trump accountable for the crimes he’s committed,” Stratton said. 

“Just like they said, ‘f*** Trump.” 

The end of her video features an appearance by Governor JB Pritzker, an outspoken Trump critic who endorses her, and former Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth. 

With the support of the governor, Stratton is attempting to set herself up as a frontrunner against her main rivals, U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, ahead of the March 17 primary to fill the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who is retiring. During the Feb. 19 debate, she made it clear where she stands on hot-topic issues like ICE and affordable healthcare, calling them rights, not privileges, and supporting Medicare for All.

“When we talk about affordability being a big issue right now for Americans and certainly Illinoisans, one of the big reasons why is healthcare and how expensive it is,” she said. 

“I can tell you, we need to be clear. A GoFundMe account is not a healthcare plan, and we’re seeing millions of Americans being stripped of their healthcare. The premiums have gone up under the ACA exchange, and we need to do more. I believe that healthcare is a right and not a privilege.”

As one could imagine, her expletive-filled video caught the attention of many, raising concerns about its effectiveness. But during the debate, she stood firmly behind the ad, saying, “It captures exactly what people are feeling right now.” “They feel like, look at Washington. People aren’t happy with what’s happening in Congress. They’re wondering why nothing is changing in their lives,” she said, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

“Everything is getting more expensive, and here they are wondering, ‘When are we going to stand up and not let this president just get away with what he’s doing?’”

Despite the backlash, Stratton has already received endorsements from some of Washington’s heavy hitters, like New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. But by speaking directly to voters, she urges those who are fed up with the Trump Administration to vote for her.

“To voters all across Illinois, if you’re happy with what’s happening in Washington, if you’re happy with what’s happening in Congress – maybe I’m not the candidate for you,” she wrote on X. 

“But if you’re ready for a new leader who will bring bold ideas and courage to the Senate, then I’m asking for your vote.”

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• Politics

by Mitti Hicks

February 20, 2026

HUD Announces Plans To End Housing Assistance For Families With Mixed Immigration Status

A recent HUD and U.S. Department of Homeland Security audit identified nearly 200,000 tenants nationwide with either incomplete or unknown eligibility verification.

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The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced plans to end housing assistance for mixed-immigration-status families. Under its current regulations, mixed-status families are eligible to receive federal housing assistance on a reduced basis. As Politico reported, the agency calculates benefits based on the percentage of eligible family members.

HUD’s proposed rule would limit the decreased assistance to a temporary 30-day period. The agency said this is meant to provide a buffer for family members whose eligibility is pending verification.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of illegal aliens, ineligibles, and fraudsters gaming the system and riding the coattails of American taxpayers are over,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement. “HUD’s proposed rule will guarantee that all residents in HUD-funded housing are eligible tenants. We have zero tolerance for pushing aside hardworking U.S. citizens while enabling others to exploit decades-old loopholes.”

Closing A Housing Loophole

HUD said the proposed rule will close the loopholes and prohibit non-citizens from “benefiting” from taxpayer-funded housing. A recent HUD and Department of Homeland Security audit identified nearly 200,000 tenants nationwide with either incomplete or unknown eligibility verification. The federal housing agency estimates that approximately 24,000 undocumented immigrants benefit from HUD assistance.

HUD’s proposed rule change is concerning for housing advocates. Leaders from the Nonprofit National Housing Law Project (NHLP) said it would lead to the eviction of tens of thousands of families.

“The result would be over 100,000 people evicted, including more than 37,000 children, many of them citizens,” NHLP Executive Director Shamus Roller told Multifamily Drive. “HUD also seeks to enlist housing authorities and owners into immigration enforcement and away from its core mission — providing affordable housing in the midst of a national housing crisis.”

An analysis by the nonprofit Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that approximately 80,000 people would face eviction under HUD’s proposed rule, nearly half of them U.S. citizen children, according to Multifamily Drive.

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• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 20, 2026

Uber To Offer Air Taxi Services In Select Markets

Through a partnership with Joby, Uber will offer Blade flights through its app

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If you’re sick of being stuck in traffic or need a faster way to get to your destination, Uber has something for you! The ride-sharing company will offer electric air taxis in select cities through a partnership with Joby.

Joby initially announced its partnership with Uber in September 2025, promising that Blade flights (helicopters and seaplanes) would be available through the app in 2026. Through this program, Joby is introducing a quiet, zero-emissions air taxi in key markets. This news comes after the company acquired Blade’s passenger business in August 2025.

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“We’re excited to introduce Uber customers to the magic of seamless urban air travel,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, in a written statement. “Integrating Blade into the Uber app is the natural next step in our global partnership with Uber and will lay the foundation for the introduction of our quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the years ahead. Together with Uber’s global platform and Blade’s proven network, we’re setting the stage for a new era of air travel worldwide.”

In 2024, Blade flew more than 50,000 passengers across various routes in the New York metropolitan area and Southern Europe. Many passengers used Blade in high-traffic destinations such as Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Manhattan, and the Hamptons.

“Since Uber’s earliest days, we’ve believed in the power of advanced air mobility to deliver safe, quiet, and sustainable transportation to cities around the world, said Andrew Macdonald, president and COO of Uber.

“By harnessing the scale of the Uber platform and partnering with Joby, the industry leader in advanced air mobility, we’re excited to bring our customers the next generation of travel.”

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The two companies have been working together since 2019. In 2021, Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division. That helped establish the urban air mobility sector and develop the tools necessary for market selection, demand simulation, and multi-modal operations.

No date has been given for the launch of the air taxi service, but Joby’s electric air taxi can carry four passengers and a pilot, reach up to 200 mph, and has an acoustic impact 100 times lower than that of a traditional helicopter. Passengers will be able to book the air taxi service directly in the Uber app.

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• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

Wes Moore Bans Maryland Police From Cooperating With ICE. But Will They Follow?

Under the law, nine sheriff’s offices in the state of Maryland will be forced to cut ICE agreements, helping agents take people accused of being in the country illegally into custody, immediately.

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The nation’s sole Black governor, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, is standing against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, signing a law that bans local law enforcement agencies from facilitating federal immigration arrests.

But will they adhere to the law?

The Washington Post reported that under the Feb. 17 signed legislation, nine sheriff’s offices in the state of Maryland will be forced to cut ICE agreements, helping agents take people accused of being in the country illegally into custody immediately, including the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, which holds one of the country’s longest-running 287(g) agreements. Moore cited the reason behind the decision as ICE being an “unaccountable agency with seemingly unlimited resources.”

“We make a very clear statement to our community that we believe in your safety,” the governor said prior to signing. 

“We believe in making sure that you are going to be safe from violent offenders, and also we believe in making sure that you are safe from unaccountable agents as well.”

According to reporting, 287(g) agreements allow correctional officers to be trained to screen individuals entering a correctional facility for citizenship or immigration status, to notify DHS of individuals suspected of being in the country illegally, and to execute detainers and administrative warrants issued by DHS.

The legislation is in crowded company, as leaders in Virginia, Washington, Illinois, California, Oregon, New Jersey, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Mexico have signed similar laws, but not everyone agrees with it. 

Former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan claimed it won’t work because law enforcement will “ignore” it, calling it an “overreach and overstep.”

“Yesterday, in my state, they just passed a bill. Gov. Moore signed an emergency bill to prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.

And, you know, all the local law enforcement officers are saying, ‘We’re going to ignore that because we’re required to work with them,’” he said, according to The Hill. 

“So I get the whole, you know, overreach and overstep and doing the wrong things, but, you know, when they have violent criminals that they’re holding in jail that ICE wants to be detained, they, you know, they shouldn’t be let back on the street. So there are two sides to this argument.”

Some sheriff’s offices seem to be siding with Hogan, with Wicomico County Sheriff Michael Lewis labeling the law as a betrayal.

“It is the biggest betrayal to law enforcement and public safety that I have ever seen,” Lewis said.

He continued to touch on the ongoing efforts of immigration advocates and leaders of ‘Abolish ICE,’ who are doing nothing.

“And whether you believe it or not, the abolishment of the 287(g) program is not the abolishment of ICE. They’re going nowhere. In fact, they’re going to intensify their efforts in Sanctuary states,” he continued.

“Mark my words. You will see a dramatic increase in the presence of ICE in this state.”

However, they seem to have things twisted. Moore, who has been outspoken against ICE and the Trump administration since Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego García was detained and mistakenly deported to El Salvador in 2025, did not say the state will stop working with ICE, but the law will put boundaries in place. “This bill draws a clear line: we will continue to work with federal partners to hold violent offenders accountable, but we refuse to blur the lines between state and federal authority in ways that undermine the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” Moore said. 

“Maryland is a community of immigrants, and that’s one of our greatest strengths because this country is incomplete without each and every one of us.”

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• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2026

Colleges Sever Ties With Organizations That Help People Of Color Amid Pressure From White House

Under pressure from the Trump administration, over 100 colleges and universities have cut ties with organizations supporting people of color.

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Over 100 colleges and universities nationwide have severed partnerships with groups serving communities of color amid pressure from the Trump administration.

A new investigation by The Washington Post found that objections from the current administration to programs supporting scholars of color have led colleges to cut ties with several diversity-focused groups. Since last year, more than 100 schools have ended partnerships with the PhD Project, an initiative launched in 1994 to help diversify the pipeline of future business school professors.

The wave of canceled partnerships follows investigations launched last March by the U.S. Department of Education into 45 universities tied to the group. On Feb. 19, officials said 31 schools had reached agreements to resolve the probes, pledging to review any affiliations with organizations that limit participation based on race and either end those partnerships or justify keeping them.

“It’s terrible,” said Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president at The Education Trust, an advocacy group focused on equity in education. He added that programs like the PhD Project help open doors to academia and foster a sense of belonging for students from historically underrepresented communities.

“There is no evidence that students from other racial or ethnic backgrounds lose access or opportunity,” he added.

Among the partnerships being cut, the California State University system told federal officials that one campus plans to end its affiliation with The Links, Incorporated, a historic service organization of Black women. Clemson University said it dropped its relationship with Field Inclusive, which supports scientists from marginalized communities, citing race-based membership discounts, and the University of Kentucky reported flagging roughly 1,200 memberships and partnerships for cancellation or further review.

The PhD Project said it has opened its conference to students of all racial backgrounds interested in pursuing business doctorates. However, it remains unclear how many additional partnerships could be affected by the federal agreements. Some universities say talks with the U.S. Department of Education are ongoing as they continue reviewing affiliations.

Jason Thatcher, now an information systems professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, said the PhD Project provided vital support when he was a doctoral student at Florida State University, helping him navigate the isolation he felt while completing his dissertation.

“I hope that the PhD Project and other organizations like it will be afforded the opportunity to support other people like me,” he said. “My hope is that universities and The PhD Project will find new ways to partner and support students.”

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• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

Lindsey Granger Reminds Co-Host Anything Is Possible In Politics Amid Kamala Harris Rematch Narrative 

Granger gave Black woman to Black woman support by highlighting that sometimes it's just not the right time for a certain candidate.

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Lindsey Granger, co-host of The Hill’s Rising, had to school her co-host that nothing is off the table in politics as a new poll reveals Kamala Harris would demolish President Donald Trump in a 2024 election rematch. 

The poll results from the NBC News SurveyMonkey were revealed by CNN News Central host John Berman, who said that if the 2024 election were held today, the former Vice President would defeat Trump by a landslide.

“Look at where we are now, according to an NBC News SurveyMonkey poll: She wins it by—get this—eight points,” Berman said, according to The Daily Beast. 

“A massive shift from what we saw in November of 2024 when Donald Trump won by a point.”

Reporting beside him, journalist Harry Enten added some hard truth: “Trump voters are not sticking by the Republicans as much as the Harris voters are sticking by the Democrats.”

Granger seemingly supported that narrative. In a healthy back-and-forth exchange, the journalist debated co-host Robby Soave’s view that “Kamala Harris’ time has come and it has gone” and that “voters want a fresh face.”

She stepped up to remind him of a few things. “Well Trump didn’t win in 2020 and came back with a vengeance because people thought ‘well his old economy worked better than Biden’s current economy’ so we’re going to bring the old guy back. So you understand how this works. It’s not like frustration is not the same thing as enthusiasm,” Granger said. 

“So if you’re frustrated at one, guess who wins? The other party.”

She continued to show Black woman-to-Black woman support by highlighting that sometimes it’s just not the right time for a certain candidate, reminding viewers that former President Joe Biden lost the Democratic nomination twice in 1998 and 2008.  

Granger’s sentiments are supported by Trump “setting new records” of disappointing approval ratings. According to Newsweek, 42.4% of registered voters approve of how Trump has been handling the presidency, while 54.6% disapprove. 

When he stepped into the Oval Office back in January 2025, his approval rating was over 55%, and his disapproval rating was 37%.

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• News

by Kandiss Edwards

February 20, 2026

Another Fake Nursing License Revoked As ‘Operation Nightingale’ Continues

Nearly 100 nurses in Connecticut have lost their licenses since the beginning of Operation Nightingale.

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Connecticut’s Board of Examiners for Nursing has revoked the nursing license of another nurse linked to a national fake degree scheme that has incited a full-blown federal investigation called “Operation Nightingale.”

According to the state Department of Public Health, Abiola Fagbemigun submitted fraudulent transcripts and a degree from Azure College in Florida when applying for a Connecticut license. 

On Feb. 4, Fagbemigun’s license was formally revoked after investigators established that the nursing program he claimed to have completed did not exist, CT Insider reported. During an earlier October hearing, DPH officials said he alleged he attended a “bridge licensed practical nurse to registered nurse program” that was not real. 

The Connecticut nursing board’s action is only the tip of the iceberg in Operation Nightingale, the massive federal investigation into fake nursing licenses. The operation has identified a large network of for-profit nursing schools in Florida that authorities allege issued fraudulent degrees and transcripts.

In June 2025, the Washington State Board of Nursing issued a list of fraudulent programs to alert potential employers.

Federal authorities have said that more than 7,000 people nationwide may have been involved in the scam that enabled recipients to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) without completing the required clinical or classroom hours. In Florida, half of the nursing curriculum must be devoted to hands-on training.

Azure College’s director of admissions, Jose Napoleon, admitted in 2025 before Federal Bureau of Investigation agents that the school had issued fake degrees and transcripts from 2017 to 2025. As part of his cooperation, Napoleon provided a list of recipients, including Fagbemigun.

During Phase II of Operation Nightingale, other faculty and staff of the for-pay scam schools were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Along with Napoleon, Carleen Noreus, Herline Lochard, Patrick Buchanan, Gilbert Hyppolite, Irene Matthews, Lemuel Pierre, Joel Lubin, Victor Escalante Zerpa, Cleophat Tanis, Lonnette Blair, and Stephanie Dorisca were all charged, according to the Department of Justice.

Since the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Board of Examiners for Nursing were notified of Operation Nightingale in late 2022, nearly 100 nurses in Connecticut have either surrendered their licenses voluntarily or had them revoked.

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• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2026

Preschool Teacher Convicted in Stepdaughter’s Death Seeks Leniency, Claims Child Was ‘Better Off Dead’

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The South African preschool teacher convicted of raping and drowning her 4-year-old stepdaughter is asking for leniency in her sentencing. Amber-Lee Hughes, 26, testified Feb. 18 during sentencing proceedings at the High Court’s Gauteng Division in Johannesburg, telling the court she believed the child, Nada-Jane Challita, was “better off dead” as she asked for leniency ahead of her sentencing, The Citizen reported.

“I thought that it would have been better if Nada were dead than to just be with her father,” Hughes said.

Hughes told the court the killing stemmed from an emotional breakdown after learning the child’s father had been unfaithful, testifying that she planned to end both her own life and the child’s because she believed the girl was better off dead than remaining in his care.

“On that day, it felt like everything that had happened throughout our relationship had built up, and I snapped,” she said.

Hughes was convicted in August 2025 of the premeditated murder and rape of her stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita. Prosecutors said the 4-year-old was killed on Jan. 23, 2023, while in Hughes’ care, after she drowned the child by sitting on top of her in a bathtub.

While acknowledging she understood her actions, Amber-Lee Hughes told the court she struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder and described a long history of mental health challenges dating back to childhood therapy. She said she made several suicide attempts after the crime and had previously attempted to take her own life multiple times as a teenager, including once by drowning.

In court, Hughes denied the rape charge, saying she did not know how the child sustained vaginal injuries. However, a pathologist previously testified that the girl had a “fresh wound” likely caused by the insertion of a small object shortly before her death.

Judges rejected Hughes’ denial, noting she admitted being alone with the child in the hours leading up to the drowning. The proceedings are set to continue with the state’s cross-examination, though Hughes did express remorse during her testimony.

“I regret what happened that day. I think about it nearly every day while I’ve been incarcerated,” Hughes said. “At the time, I thought it was her best option.”

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