Good morning, and welcome to The National Press.
It’s no secret that billionaires live differently than the rest of us.
Private jets, private concerts, yachts, Renaissance paintings and, apparently, even full-time dog nannies.
But what about the people who make this charmed world spin?
Today, Rafaela Siewert is filling in for Lyndsay Keith, and we’re looking at how billionaire Larry Ellison purchased eight homes in one South Florida neighborhood for his staff.
It set off a battle between him and the homeowners association.
Then, we’re going to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where white supremacist groups have reportedly been leaving fliers in neighborhoods. Residents are upset, police say there’s no evidence of a crime, and neighbors are conducting their own investigation.
In Today’s Show
Larry Ellison Bought Eight Homes for His Staff. Then the HOA Pushed Back.
It’s no secret that billionaires need a lot of people to help run their estates.
Personal chefs, private tutors, nannies, housekeepers and even full-time dog nannies.
But one billionaire went as far as buying eight homes for his employees.
Tiffany Rizzo of CBS12 in South Florida investigated how Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison spent about $10 million purchasing homes in the gated Palm Meadows Estates community in Boynton Beach.
The homes are about 20 to 30 minutes from Ellison’s large estate in Manalapan.
Tiffany says the homes are large, fully furnished and have lake views. Employees receive competitive salaries, rent-free housing and Tesla vehicles for their commutes.
It’s all part of a package designed to attract and keep employees in one of Florida’s most expensive housing markets.
But not everyone was happy about the arrangement.
Some neighbors were concerned that renters moving into their community would change the neighborhood’s dynamic.
After Ellison purchased five homes, the homeowners association introduced new rules limiting owners to five properties and restricting rentals during the first year. Three more purchases were still pending.
Attorneys got involved, and Ellison was ultimately able to close on all eight homes. But the new rules remain in place.
Tiffany says she reached out to the HOA multiple times but never received a response. And while staff housing is becoming a more common perk for ultra-wealthy families, this particular battle was unusual.
KKK Fliers Appear in Pennsylvania Neighborhoods. Police Say They’re Protected Speech.
White supremacist groups have reportedly been leaving fliers in neighborhoods around Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The leaflets claim to come from two different KKK groups, take aim at immigrants and LGBTQ people, and even include contact information for anyone who wants to join them. But police say there’s no evidence of a specific crime, and no investigation is underway.
Lily Sexton of CBS21 in Harrisburg spoke to residents who found the pamphlets on their front lawns along Putnam Drive.
Neighbors told her they were upset and disappointed. Some fliers included the words, “You have been warned by the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.” And while police say the messages are generally protected by the First Amendment, residents say they feel threatening.
Lily called a phone number printed on one of the fliers. No one answered, but the voicemail identified itself as the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
Now neighbors are reviewing Ring cameras and other security footage, trying to figure out who left the materials.
Lily says similar incidents in other Pennsylvania communities have received very different responses from police.
In Carlisle and Mechanicsburg, authorities launched investigations after white supremacist materials appeared. But in Lancaster, police say there’s no specific threat or crime to investigate.
The Headlines From Our Network
Here at The National Press, we’re watching stories from across the country.
Here are some of the headlines that go beyond local communities.
7-Year-Old American Girl Killed During Anti-Cartel Operation in Mexico
A 7-year-old American girl was killed by police gunfire during an anti-cartel operation in Mexico.
Aranza Aidelany Pardo was traveling with her family in Matamoros when they came across roadblocks.
Aranza’s mother said the roadblocks forced her husband off the highway and onto another route. That’s when she says a helicopter began circling their vehicle.
State security forces said the helicopter came under fire from the ground and returned fire. Aranza’s parents and four siblings were caught in the gunfire, and the same bullet that killed her also struck her mother in the leg, according to her account.
But Aranza’s mother disputes that there was any fire from the ground.
“I only want justice for my daughter. I don’t want them to drop it,” she said.
Authorities are investigating the shooting.
Former USAID Employee Sentenced for Stealing $176,000 in COVID Relief Funds
In Maryland, a former USAID employee was just sentenced to six months in federal prison for stealing more than $176,000 in COVID relief funds.
According to federal prosecutors, Simeon Bakare submitted fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster loans.
He fabricated documents and submitted fake loan applications to obtain the money.
Bakare pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and a judge ordered him to pay $176,000 in restitution.
E-Bike Battery Explosion Engulfs Oregon Home in Flames
This week, an E-Bike exploded, engulfing an entire home in flames.
ABC 2 in Oregon reports a two-story home in Troutdale caught fire after an e-bike battery exploded in the living room. All six people inside escaped safely.
But the fire destroyed the home and raises questions and concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries and the growing number of fires involving rechargeable devices.
11,400 Arkansas Bar Exam Files Missing as Former Official Faces 65 Felony Charges
In Arkansas, a former state Supreme Court official is facing 65 felony charges over allegations that she manipulated bar exam scores for five years.
KATV reports that Nancie Givens, the former executive director of the Office of Professional Programs, allegedly took points from some applicants and gave them to others.
In at least one case, someone who should have passed the exam received a failing score.
And now the investigation has uncovered another problem.
About 11,400 files, including bar exam applications and score sheets, were deleted or made unavailable earlier this year.
The Arkansas Supreme Court says it’s working with state police and the FBI to recover missing data and determine how many people were affected.
The bigger question is whether anyone was allowed to practice law based on a score they didn’t actually earn.
Ohio Lawmakers Stall Bill That Would Ban Marriage Under 18
In Ohio, lawmakers are facing growing pressure to ban marriage for anyone under the age of 18. But the bill has stalled in the state Senate.
ABC6 reports that Ohio currently allows 17-year-olds to marry with a judge’s approval.
The proposed legislation would raise the minimum age to 18, with no exceptions. Survivors of child marriage are demanding action.
One woman told lawmakers she was married at 16 to a 31-year-old man. Another said her mother deeply regrets allowing her to marry as a pregnant teenager.
State Sen. Bill DeMora says he may attach the proposal to other legislation if the Senate refuses to bring it to a vote. Some lawmakers are already considering putting the question directly to Ohio voters.
But with the legislative session nearing its end, advocates want to know why a measure to end underage marriage still hasn’t passed.
South Carolina Father Arrested After Reporting Concerns About Daughters Who Later Died
In South Carolina, a father is demanding answers after his two young daughters were found dead, allegedly from starvation.
And the circumstances leading up to their deaths are raising serious questions about how authorities handled the case.
WPDE reports that Zachary Deacon was arrested in September on harassment allegations involving his former fiancée, Justine May, while raising concerns about the safety of their children.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office stopped conducting welfare checks at May’s home on September 22.
One week later, the girls, just 15 months and 2 years old, were found dead.
May now faces two counts of homicide by child abuse.
Deacon’s attorney says his client tried to warn authorities about the children’s safety.
Now Deacon has filed a petition seeking investigative records and body-camera footage from the sheriff’s office, while also facing a court hearing over the harassment charge.
What else should we be covering?
The most important stories in America start in communities like yours.
Now we want to hear from you.
In South Florida, who has the stronger case: Larry Ellison, who bought eight homes for his staff, or the homeowners association?
And in Lancaster, what should local leaders be doing to respond to these KKK groups?
Tell us what we’re missing in the comments, and share the local stories you think deserve national attention.
The National Press
Real reporting. From real America.
