News

Film financier Jason Cloth indicted in alleged $100M Ponzi scheme tied to movie funding

National News July 31, 2026

Film producer Jason Cloth, who financed “Joker,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and dozens of other movies, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on wire fraud charges in connection with what prosecutors say was a $100 million Ponzi scheme. The indictment against Cloth, 60, was unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Cloth was arrested the same day in Los Angeles, where he made his first court appearance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois said. The indictment alleges Cloth solicited money from investors, telling them the funds would ...

State and local at a glance

Local News July 30, 2026

Warrant issued for man evading police LIBERTY — A warrant was issued through Girard Municipal Court for Shane Link, 31, of Youngstown, on a charge of obstructing official business Wednesday morning. According to a police report, officers were notified by an anonymous caller Monday that Link, with whom officers are familiar, was staying in a Motel 6 hotel room, with officers also noting that he had felony warrants and a history of resisting arrest. Two officers responded to the area, and they had a brief visual on Link before losing him on a second-floor walkway. The report states ...

Jared Leto denies sexual assault allegations described in BBC documentary

National News July 30, 2026

The Associated Press Four women have accused Jared Leto of sexual misconduct when they were teenagers, to which the actor and musician responded Wednesday that he has “never sexually assaulted anyone.” “I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life. These claims are absolutely and categorically false,” Leto, 54, said in a statement to The Associated Press. The BBC documentary “Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret,” released Wednesday, details allegations including those from four women who accused the actor of sexual misconduct and assault between 2002 and ...

County approves spending $2M in senior funds

Animals flock to McDonald park

Local News July 30, 2026

Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Raptor Hallow Sanctuary of Alliance brought a variety of animals to Woodland Park in McDonald on Wednesday for a program “Fur, Feather and Scales,” in which children explored the differences between mammals, reptiles and birds. Aaliyah Groves, 10, of ...

Liberty assisted living facility hosting festival

Community News July 30, 2026

SUMMERFEST: Liberty Arms Assisted Living, 1353 Churchill Hubbard Road, Liberty, will have a Summerfest 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event will include a basket raffle, crafts, food trucks, games and a petting zoo. RUMMAGE SALE: Grace Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Road NW, Warren, will have a summer rummage sale and bake sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Saturday will be $3 a bag on selected items. Proceeds from the event support the church’s food pantry that serves families in need. “STAR WARS” NIGHT: The Mahoning Valley ...