Latest news with #Hurd
International Business Times
3 hours ago
- International Business Times
Who Was Shelby Hurd? Burglar Shot Dead by Mom Protecting Her Child During Home Invasion Was Career Criminal
The burglar who was shot dead by a mother while she hid her baby in a closet during a home invasion turned out to be a repeat offender who had only been freed from jail months before the incident. Shelby Hurd, 36, was killed last Tuesday after being shot in the head while breaking into a mother's home in Joliet, Illinois. Hurd had only been released on parole this February over a slew of prior burglary convictions, according to Patch. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to two different burglary cases that took place just 10 days apart in March 2022. The burglary and Hurd's death are being investigated by cops. Career Criminal Killed at Last Shelby Hurd X Hurd was sentenced to four years in prison with 170 days credited for time already served, but it remains unclear how he was released back into the community in early 2025. He had also served earlier jail terms for 2019 charges that included burglary of a vehicle, possession of a stolen car, and unlawful possession of a weapon as a convicted felon. His Facebook page featured several troubling posts, including one made shortly after his release from prison this year, where he wrote: "Sacrificed my peace and sleep." "I did some sh (sic) you couldn't imagine." In another April 2023 post — made before his most recent prison sentence — Hurd wrote: "I'm from the streets... Better look both ways before you cross me." Hurd carried out his final burglary on Tuesday, August 12, around 10:30 p.m., when he broke into the home of a woman he didn't know, police said. He was reportedly wearing gloves and carrying a screwdriver at the time. Realizing someone was breaking in, the mother hurried to an upstairs bedroom with her newborn. She hid the baby in a closet to protect them just as Hurd forced his way into the room. Killed by Brave Mother The home where Shelby Hurd tried to carry out his final burglary before being shot dead by a protective mother X The mother fired her weapon, striking Hurd in the head, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The terrifying incident unfolded last week in a quiet suburban neighborhood lined with spacious homes and greenery. Joliet is located about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. While downtown Joliet is known for its crime issues, the break-in took place about seven miles to the west in a much quieter neighborhood. Joliet Police said the investigation into both the burglary and the shooting is still ongoing, adding that the mother who killed Hurd is fully cooperating. On the department's Facebook page, many commenters praised the woman, with one even suggesting she be honored with the freedom of the city. Illinois does not have a "stand your ground" statute, instead urging residents to retreat before resorting to deadly force. However, exceptions exist — including situations involving a home invasion, like the one that took place last week.
Business Wire
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Interface Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Interface, Inc. (Nasdaq: TILE), a worldwide commercial flooring company and global leader in sustainability, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 29, 2025. Second quarter highlights (all comparisons are year-over-year): Net sales totaled $376 million, up 8% and up 7% currency neutral. GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.55, a 45% increase; Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.60, a 50% increase. One Interface strategy continues to drive shareholder value. 'We delivered strong second quarter results ahead of our expectations with currency-neutral net sales growth of 7% and significantly expanded profitability. We continued to see strong momentum and market share gains in the Americas with currency-neutral net sales growth of 11% driven by our combined selling teams and expanded product offerings,' commented Laurel Hurd, CEO of Interface. 'Our One Interface strategy continues to yield measurable results, fueling growth across all product categories and key market segments. Second quarter global billings increased 28% in Healthcare, 11% in Education, and 3% in Corporate Office. Our performance reflects the strength of our strategy and market position, and our team's disciplined execution, despite market uncertainty,' continued Hurd. 'Gross profit margin expanded 403 basis points driven by higher pricing, favorable product mix, and higher sales volumes that generated manufacturing cost benefits in the second quarter. We are operating from a position of strength, with a solid balance sheet that gives us flexibility and optionality as we remain focused on long-term value creation for shareholders,' added Bruce Hausmann, CFO of Interface. 6/29/2025 6/30/2024 Change 6/29/2025 6/30/2024 Change GAAP Net Sales $ 375.5 $ 346.6 8.3 % $ 672.9 $ 636.4 5.7 % Gross Profit Margin % of Net Sales 39.4 % 35.4 % 403 bps 38.5 % 36.6 % 186 bps SG&A Expenses $ 95.9 $ 84.5 13.6 % $ 183.7 $ 170.4 7.8 % SG&A Expenses % of Net Sales 25.5 % 24.4 % 118 bps 27.3 % 26.8 % 51 bps Operating Income $ 52.0 $ 38.2 36.4 % $ 75.3 $ 62.6 20.3 % Net Income $ 32.6 $ 22.6 44.3 % $ 45.6 $ 36.7 24.0 % Earnings per Diluted Share $ 0.55 $ 0.38 44.7 % $ 0.77 $ 0.63 22.2 % Non-GAAP Currency-Neutral Net Sales $ 371.1 $ 346.6 7.1 % $ 672.9 $ 636.4 5.7 % Adjusted Gross Profit Margin % of Net Sales 39.8 % 35.7 % 402 bps 38.9 % 37.0 % 184 bps Adjusted SG&A Expenses $ 93.4 $ 84.3 10.8 % $ 180.2 $ 170.5 5.7 % Adjusted SG&A Expenses % of Net Sales 24.9 % 24.3 % 56 bps 26.8 % 26.8 % (1) bps Adjusted Operating Income $ 55.9 $ 39.6 41.2 % $ 81.4 $ 65.1 24.9 % Adjusted Net Income $ 35.4 $ 23.6 49.9 % $ 50.0 $ 37.8 32.3 % Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share $ 0.60 $ 0.40 50.0 % $ 0.85 $ 0.64 32.8 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 64.8 $ 50.5 28.4 % $ 101.8 $ 89.2 14.1 % Currency-Neutral Orders Increase Year-Over-Year 2.9 % Second quarter 2025 adjusted gross profit margin increased 402 basis points year-over-year, due to higher pricing, favorable product mix, and lower manufacturing costs per unit on higher volume; partially offset by higher raw material costs. Second quarter 2025 adjusted SG&A expenses increased $9.1 million year-over-year due to higher sales commissions and variable compensation on increased sales and profits, higher healthcare costs, inflation, and foreign currency exchange variances. Additional Metrics 6/29/2025 12/29/2024 Change Cash $ 121.7 $ 99.2 22.6 % Total Debt $ 304.4 $ 302.8 0.6 % Total Debt Minus Cash ("Net Debt") $ 182.7 $ 203.5 (10.2 )% Last 12-Months Adjusted EBITDA $ 201.6 Total Debt divided by Last 12-Months Net Income 3.2x Net Debt divided by Last 12-Months Adjusted EBITDA ("Net Leverage Ratio") 0.9x Expand Segment Results Summary (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in millions, except percentages) 6/29/2025 6/30/2024 Change 6/29/2025 6/30/2024 Change AMS Net Sales $ 239.4 $ 215.0 11.4 % $ 419.4 $ 384.9 9.0 % Currency-Neutral Net Sales $ 239.6 $ 215.0 11.5 % $ 420.3 $ 384.9 9.2 % Operating Income $ 48.8 $ 26.8 82.2 % $ 68.0 $ 45.0 51.1 % Adjusted Operating Income $ 48.8 $ 26.9 81.3 % $ 68.7 $ 45.0 52.6 % Currency-Neutral Orders Increase Year-Over-Year 2.1 % EAAA Net Sales $ 136.1 $ 131.6 3.4 % $ 253.6 $ 251.5 0.8 % Currency-Neutral Net Sales $ 131.5 $ 131.6 (0.1 )% $ 252.6 $ 251.5 0.4 % Operating Income $ 3.2 $ 11.3 (71.8 )% $ 7.3 $ 17.6 (58.5 )% Adjusted Operating Income $ 7.1 $ 12.7 (44.2 )% $ 12.7 $ 20.1 (37.0 )% Currency-Neutral Orders (Decrease) Year-Over-Year 4.3 % Expand Outlook Based on strong Q2 2025 results, Interface is raising its full fiscal year guidance, while acknowledging a dynamic and uncertain global macro environment. With that backdrop in mind, Interface anticipates the following: Webcast and Conference Call Information Interface will host a conference call on August 1, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss its second quarter 2025 results. The conference call will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Listeners may access the conference call live over the Internet at: or through the Company's website at: The archived version of the webcast will be available at these sites for one year beginning approximately one hour after the call ends. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Interface provides adjusted earnings per share, adjusted net income, adjusted operating income ("AOI"), adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, adjusted SG&A expenses, currency- neutral sales and currency-neutral sales growth, net debt, and adjusted EBITDA as additional information regarding its operating results in this press release. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with – or alternatives to – GAAP measures, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Adjusted EPS, adjusted net income, and AOI exclude nora purchase accounting amortization, restructuring, asset impairment, severance, and other, net, and the cyber event impact. Adjusted EPS and adjusted net income also exclude the property casualty loss impact. Adjusted gross profit and adjusted gross profit margin exclude the nora purchase accounting amortization. Adjusted SG&A expenses exclude restructuring, asset impairment, severance, and other, net and the cyber event impact. Currency-neutral sales and currency-neutral sales growth exclude the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Net debt is total debt less cash on hand. Adjusted EBITDA is GAAP net income excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, cyber event impact, property casualty loss impact, restructuring, asset impairment, severance, and other, net, the nora purchase accounting amortization, and the loss on foreign subsidiary liquidation. This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K furnished today to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, which explains why Interface believes presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors, as well as any additional material purposes for which Interface uses these non-GAAP measures. About Interface Interface, Inc. (NASDAQ: TILE) is a global flooring solutions company and sustainability leader, offering an integrated portfolio of carpet tile and resilient flooring products that includes Interface® carpet tile and LVT, nora® rubber flooring, and FLOR® premium area rugs for commercial and residential spaces. Made with purpose and without compromise, Interface flooring brings more sophisticated design, more performance, more innovation, and more climate progress to interior spaces. A decades-long pioneer in sustainability, Interface remains 'all in' on becoming a restorative business. Today, the company is focusing on carbon reductions, not offsets, as it works toward achieving its verified science-based targets by 2030 and its goal to become a carbon negative enterprise by 2040. Learn more about Interface at and nora by Interface at FLOR at and the company's sustainability journey at Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Pinterest. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the other matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as 'may,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'believe,' 'could,' 'should,' 'goal,' 'aim," 'objective,' 'seek,' 'project,' 'estimate,' 'target,' 'will' and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, any projections we make regarding the Company's 2025 third quarter and full year 2025 under 'Outlook' above. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including but not limited to the risks under the following subheadings in 'Risk Factors' in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024: "We compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do. We may face challenges competing on price, making investments in our business, or competing on product design or sustainability", "Our earnings could be adversely affected by non-cash adjustments to goodwill, when a test of goodwill assets indicates a material impairment of those assets", "Our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued service of our senior management executives, our principal design consultant and other key personnel (including experienced sales and manufacturing personnel), and our loss of any of them could affect us adversely", "Large increases in the cost of our raw materials, shipping costs, duties or tariffs could adversely affect us if we are unable to pass these cost increases through to our customers", "Unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primary third-party suppliers of synthetic fiber or our primary third-party supplier for luxury vinyl tile ('LVT') or other key raw materials could have a material adverse effect on us", "Changes to our facilities, manufacturing processes, product construction, and product composition could disrupt our operations, increase our manufacturing costs, increase customer complaints, increase warranty claims, negatively affect our reputation, and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations", "Our business operations could suffer significant losses from natural disasters, acts of war, terrorism, catastrophes, fire, adverse weather conditions, pandemics, endemics, unstable geopolitical situations or other unexpected events", "The market price of our common stock has been volatile and the value of your investment may decline", "Sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by adverse economic cycles, and effects in the new construction market and renovation market", "Disruptions to or failures of information technology systems we use could adversely affect our business", "The impact of potential changes to environmental laws and regulations and industry standards regarding climate change and other sustainability matters could lead to unforeseen disruptions to our business operations", "Health crisis events, such as epidemics or pandemics, have adversely impacted, and may continue to impact, the economy and disrupt our operations and supply chains, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations", Our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results, including foreign currency fluctuations, restrictive taxation, custom duties, tariffs, border closings or other adverse government regulations", "The conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position", "Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have had, and could continue to have, an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations", "The uncertainty surrounding the ongoing implementation and effect of the U.K.'s exit from the European Union, and related negative developments in the European Union, could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition", "We have a substantial amount of debt, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under our debt", "Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our operations to pay our indebtedness", "We may incur substantial additional indebtedness, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness", and "We face risks associated with litigation and claims". You should consider any additional or updated information we include under the heading 'Risk Factors' in our subsequent quarterly and annual reports. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking statements made in this press release and cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. - TABLES FOLLOW - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In thousands) 6/29/2025 12/29/2024 Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 121,701 $ 99,226 Accounts Receivable, net 194,251 171,135 Inventories, net 288,165 260,581 Other Current Assets 38,969 33,355 Total Current Assets 643,086 564,297 Property, Plant and Equipment, net 291,839 282,374 Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets 80,619 76,815 Goodwill and intangibles assets, net 162,770 148,160 Other Assets 99,908 99,170 Total Assets $ 1,278,222 $ 1,170,816 Liabilities Accounts Payable $ 86,621 $ 68,943 Accrued Expenses 122,850 134,996 Current Portion of Operating Lease Liabilities 13,571 12,296 Current Portion of Long-Term Debt 506 482 Total Current Liabilities 223,548 216,717 Long-Term Debt 303,943 302,275 Operating Lease Liabilities 71,541 68,092 Other Long-Term Liabilities 104,165 94,584 Total Liabilities 703,197 681,668 Shareholders' Equity 575,025 489,148 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 1,278,222 $ 1,170,816 Expand Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (In thousands) 6/29/2025 6/30/2024 6/29/2025 6/30/2024 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Income $ 32,561 $ 22,558 $ 45,563 $ 36,737 Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 9,829 9,728 19,230 19,344 Share-Based Compensation Expense 2,771 2,616 6,917 6,531 Deferred Taxes 1,091 (361 ) 254 (1,039 ) Other (1,959 ) (58 ) 1,111 (3,766 ) Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets 1,352 1,287 2,606 2,584 Change in Working Capital Accounts Receivable (25,414 ) (32,744 ) (14,739 ) (18,907 ) Inventories 4,238 14,816 (12,101 ) (5,661 ) Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (970 ) (4,139 ) (4,408 ) (6,332 ) Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 6,629 7,836 (2,566 ) 4,667 Cash Provided by Operating Activities 30,128 21,539 41,867 34,158 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital Expenditures (7,354 ) (9,574 ) (14,821 ) (13,607 ) Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment — — — 1,040 Insurance Proceeds from Property Casualty Loss — — — 1,000 Cash Used in Investing Activities (7,354 ) (9,574 ) (14,821 ) (11,567 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayments of Long-term Debt (131 ) (12,147 ) (253 ) (46,930 ) Borrowing of Long-term Debt 1,306 7,334 1,306 17,334 Repurchase of Common Stock (4,286 ) — (4,286 ) — Tax Withholding Payments for Share-Based Compensation (6 ) (483 ) (7,736 ) (4,754 ) Dividends Paid (1,173 ) (1,167 ) (1,227 ) (1,173 ) Finance Lease Payments (782 ) (721 ) (1,544 ) (1,437 ) Cash Used in Financing Activities (5,072 ) (7,184 ) (13,740 ) (36,960 ) Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating, Investing and Financing Activities 17,702 4,781 13,306 (14,369 ) Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash 6,242 (368 ) 9,169 (1,942 ) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Net Change During the Period 23,944 4,413 22,475 (16,311 ) Balance at Beginning of Period 97,757 89,774 99,226 110,498 Expand Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) (In millions, except per share amounts) Gross Profit SG&A Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Pre-tax Tax Effect Net Income (Loss) Diluted EPS Gross Profit SG&A Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Pre-tax Tax Effect Net Income (Loss) Diluted EPS Non-GAAP Adjustments: Purchase Accounting Amortization 1.4 — 1.4 1.4 (0.4 ) 1.0 0.02 1.3 — 1.3 1.3 (0.4 ) 0.9 0.02 Restructuring, Asset Impairment, Severance, and Other, net — (2.5 ) 2.5 2.5 (0.6 ) 1.9 0.03 — (0.1 ) 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 — Adjustments Subtotal * 1.4 (2.5 ) 3.9 3.9 (1.0 ) 2.8 0.05 1.3 (0.2 ) 1.5 1.5 (0.4 ) 1.0 0.02 Adjusted (non-GAAP) * $ 149.3 $ 93.4 $ 55.9 $ 35.4 $ 0.60 $ 123.9 $ 84.3 $ 39.6 $ 23.6 $ 0.40 Expand First Six Months 2025 First Six Months 2024 Adjustments Adjustments Gross Profit SG&A Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Pre-tax Tax Effect Net Income (Loss) Diluted EPS Gross Profit SG&A Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Pre-tax Tax Effect Net Income (Loss) Diluted EPS Non-GAAP Adjustments: Purchase Accounting Amortization 2.6 — 2.6 2.6 (0.8 ) 1.8 0.03 2.6 — 2.6 2.6 (0.8 ) 1.8 0.03 Restructuring, Asset Impairment, Severance, and Other, net — (3.5 ) 3.5 3.5 (0.9 ) 2.6 0.04 — (0.3 ) 0.3 0.3 (0.1 ) 0.3 — Cyber Event Impact — — — — — — — — 0.4 (0.4 ) (0.4 ) 0.1 (0.3 ) (0.01 ) Property Casualty Loss (1) — — — — — — — — — — (1.0 ) 0.2 (0.7 ) (0.01 ) Adjustments Subtotal * 2.6 (3.5 ) 6.1 6.1 (1.6 ) 4.5 0.08 2.6 0.1 2.5 1.6 (0.5 ) 1.1 0.02 Adjusted (non-GAAP) * $ 261.5 $ 180.2 $ 81.4 $ 50.0 $ 0.85 $ 235.6 $ 170.5 $ 65.1 $ 37.8 $ 0.64 (1) Represents property insurance (recovery) / loss * Note: Sum of reconciling items may differ from total due to rounding of individual components Expand Second Quarter 2025 Second Quarter 2024 GAAP Operating Income (Loss) $ 48.8 $ 3.2 $ 52.0 $ 26.8 $ 11.3 $ 38.2 Non-GAAP Adjustments: Purchase Accounting Amortization — 1.4 1.4 — 1.3 1.3 Restructuring, Asset Impairment, Severance, and Other, net — 2.5 2.5 0.1 — 0.1 Adjustments Subtotal * — 3.9 3.9 0.1 1.3 1.5 AOI * $ 48.8 $ 7.1 $ 55.9 $ 26.9 $ 12.7 $ 39.6 First Six Months 2025 First Six Months 2024 GAAP Operating Income (Loss) $ 68.0 $ 7.3 $ 75.3 $ 45.0 $ 17.6 $ 62.6 Non-GAAP Adjustments: Purchase Accounting Amortization — 2.6 2.6 — 2.6 2.6 Cyber Event Impact — — — (0.2 ) (0.2 ) (0.4 ) Restructuring, Asset Impairment, Severance, and Other, net 0.7 2.8 3.5 0.3 0.1 0.3 Adjustments Subtotal * 0.7 5.4 6.1 — 2.5 2.5 AOI * $ 68.7 $ 12.7 $ 81.4 $ 45.0 $ 20.1 $ 65.1 * Note: Sum of reconciling items may differ from total due to rounding of individual components Expand (in millions) Second Quarter 2025 Second Quarter 2024 First Six Months 2025 First Six Months 2024 Last Twelve Months (LTM) Ended 6/29/2025 Fiscal Year 2024 Net Income as Reported (GAAP) $ 32.6 $ 22.6 $ 45.6 $ 36.7 $ 95.8 $ 86.9 Income Tax Expense 11.6 8.6 15.7 13.4 28.9 26.6 Interest Expense (including debt issuance cost amortization) 4.4 6.2 8.9 12.6 19.5 23.2 Depreciation and Amortization (excluding debt issuance cost amortization) 9.6 9.1 18.7 18.4 37.6 37.3 Share-based Compensation Expense 2.8 2.6 6.9 6.5 13.3 12.9 Purchase Accounting Amortization 1.4 1.3 2.6 2.6 5.2 5.2 Restructuring, Asset Impairment, Severance, and Other, net 2.5 0.1 3.5 0.3 5.7 2.5 Cyber Event Impact — — — (0.4 ) (5.1 ) (5.5 ) Property Casualty Loss (1) — — — (1.0 ) (1.4 ) (2.3 ) Loss on Foreign Subsidiary Liquidation (2) — — — — 2.2 2.2 Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (AEBITDA)* $ 64.8 $ 50.5 $ 101.8 $ 89.2 $ 201.6 $ 189.0 (1) Represents insurance recovery. (2) In 2024 our Thailand subsidiary was substantially liquidated and the related cumulative translation adjustment was recognized in other expense. * Note: Sum of reconciling items may differ from total due to rounding of individual components Expand The impacts of changes in foreign currency presented in the tables are calculated based on applying the prior year period's average foreign currency exchange rates to the current year period. The Company believes that the above non-GAAP performance measures, which management uses in managing and evaluating the Company's business, may provide users of the Company's financial information with additional meaningful basis for comparing the Company's current results and results in a prior period, as these measures reflect factors that are unique to one period relative to the comparable period. However, these non‑GAAP performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Tax effects identified above (when applicable) are calculated using the statutory tax rate for the jurisdictions in which the charge or income occurred.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alaska woman lands massive halibut, describes moment as ‘highlight of my life'
A woman from Fairbanks, Alaska, has taken the lead in the annual Valdez Halibut Derby with a catch last Friday that tipped the scale at 144.2 pounds. Melissa Hurd told Alaska's News Source that the hookup was subtle until the giant halibut began to run, at which point 'it felt like I had hit a tree or something.' Hurd's catch put her in the top spot in a competition that runs through August and offers a grand prize of $10,000. ALSO: Wild horses shown trying to outrun grizzly bear; not all of them succeed Her lead is unlikely to hold – since 1991 only two anglers have won the derby with catches weighing fewer than 200 pounds – but Hurd was excited simply to have joined the 100-pound club when it comes to Pacific halibut. 'We could see the size of that thing and to know that I had pulled this thing from the bottom of the ocean up to the surface – so fun,' she boasted. 'Just the highlight of my life.' Alaska's News Source reported that the potentially dangerous halibut was 'shot' by the captain before it was brought onto the boat. It's worth noting that the average weight of Pacific halibut caught in the Prince William Sound region weighs 30-40 pounds. But in the past, several 'barn door' halibut exceeding 300 pounds have been caught. The Valdez Halibut Derby record, set in 2017, stands at 374 pounds. For comparison, the all-tackle world record for Pacific halibut is 459 pounds. That giant was caught out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in 1996.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CO Rep. Jeff Hurd reacts to anti-ICE protests in his district and nationwide
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KREX) – The anti-ICE immigration protests in Los Angeles have inspired pop-up demonstrations of solidarity nationwide, including in Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd's 3rd district. On the heels of a reportedly peaceful protest last night at Grand Junction's Lilac Park, the republican congressman sat down with WesternSlopeNow from D.C. with a message for protesters in his district and beyond. 'We should not be celebrating lawlessness and destruction of private property,' says Hurd. 'It sows chaos. It hurts families. It hurts communities. Now, by contrast, what we saw in Grand Junction was a peaceful protest. That's an example of the First Amendment properly used.' While the congressman shared support for peaceful protests in his district, he also supports the very thing they are protesting against: President Trump's immigration policies and ICE. 'I stand with the president and with ICE and with law enforcement when it comes to securing our borders and keeping our community safe,' says Hurd. 'When you stop the flow of drugs and crime into our community, that's something that the president campaigned on and something that I campaigned on.' But protesters in his district tell WesternSlopeNow, fighting criminals isn't the whole story. 'There's people getting kidnapped out of their immigration appointments and being told that they shouldn't be here when they're trying to do the right thing,' says protester Stephanie Dedduang. 'They are not just taking criminals. They are trying to arrest around 3,000 people a day in order to make this million-people deportation quota.' Demonstrations against ICE and the administration are scheduled to continue this weekend at the No King's Day protests in Grand Junction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Colorado GOP vice chair challenges Jeff Hurd in 2026 race for Congress
Hope Scheppelman, who is running in the Republican primary to represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, is seen at left standing with President Donald Trump in a photo from 2024 on the homepage of the Colorado Republican Party's website. (Colorado Newsline) Hope Scheppelman, former vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party, is challenging U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd in the 2026 race to represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. Scheppelman, of Bayfield, said Hurd 'tricked and lied to CD3 voters last year' and has since 'exposed himself as just another liberal elitist who is dead set against President (Donald) Trump and the millions of MAGA citizens like me' in a press release announcing her candidacy. She is a U.S. Navy veteran and former health care professional and business owner. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hurd, a Grand Junction Republican who started his first term in Congress in January, won voters in the district by promising 'a different style' from his predecessor, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Windsor Republican and MAGA provocateur who moved districts after she was reelected by under 600 votes in 2022 and now represents the 4th Congressional District. Hurd has been one of the more moderate Republicans in Congress since he took office. 'When the people of CD3 learn what Jeff Hurd has really been up to in D.C., I know they will choose a real conservative who will fight for them and our real-world local interests, not the sold-out liberal elitists in BOTH parties who are thrilled with Hurd's betrayal of our common sense values,' Scheppelman said. The press release announcing Scheppelman's run said Hurd earned a primary from the MAGA wing of Colorado's GOP. She was vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party under former chair Dave Williams, who broke party norms by endorsing candidates in primary elections across the state, favoring many MAGA Republicans who lost their races. A group of Republicans attempted to oust Williams and other party leaders, but that effort was halted by the courts. Party members voted Scheppelman out as vice chair after one term in the position. If elected to Congress, Scheppelman's campaign website says she would prioritize ending the fentanyl crisis and securing the border; defending agriculture, water rights and landowners; improving rural health care, Medicare and Medicaid; restoring American energy independence; empowering parents and reforming education; defending constitutional rights and 'Western values'; honoring and supporting veterans; and strengthening rural economies and small business growth. The 3rd District encompasses the Western Slope and the southwest corner of the state, sweeping east to include Pueblo, Otero and Las Animas counties. Hurd has already raised over $700,000 for his reelection campaign. Two Democrats, Alex Kelloff and Kyle Doster, have also filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission declaring their run for the seat in the Democratic primary. Party primary elections in Colorado will take place in June 2026. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
