Latest news with #Reba
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Las Vegas woman indicted in ‘Reba' dog death takes plea deal
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas woman indicted in the death of an English bulldog named 'Reba' took a plea deal Thursday afternoon, bringing her down to a lesser charge. On Thursday, June 5, Markeisha Foster, 30, took a plea deal, agreeing to one count of attempt to kill, maim, or disfigure an animal of another. She originally faced a charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat, or animal. On July 26, 2024, Las Vegas Metro police officers found the English bulldog, later named 'Reba,' in the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue, near Maryland Parkway, next to a dumpster inside a tote that was taped shut. The temperature that night hovered around 110 degrees. The National Weather Service reported a high of 111 for the evening. Reba died the next day. Her death made national headlines as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' Last December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Foster on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. On May 16, documents were filed by Laushaul's attorney asking a judge to move his case from Clark County because of intense media coverage, instead wanting to the trail to happen outside of Las Vegas. While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. The filing indicated Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. RELATED: Nevada lawmakers approve Reba's Law; it's now on the governor's desk 'The media has followed this case/story extensively,' Laushaul's attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Now's reporting. 'Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about 'Reba,' interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to 'how this could have all happened.'' News coverage of Reba's death began in the months after Laushaul and Foster allegedly left her in the heat, as police released video footage of their suspects. Prosecutors oppose the venue change, writing, 'The mere existence of publicity does not require a trial to be moved.' Additional details about Foster's plea deal were not immediately known. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nevada lawmakers approve Reba's Law; it's now on the governor's desk
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Monday was the last day of the 120-day legislative session in Nevada and late that night, Nevada lawmakers passed Reba's Law, an animal cruelty measure. The proposal, Assembly Bill 381, was aimed at strengthening penalties against animal abusers after the death of an English bulldog who died in July 2024 after she was left sealed inside a plastic tub in 110-degree heat. She initially survived, but died days later as a result of heat stroke. Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy proposed the bill, which also establishes a wider range of penalties so prosecutors can more easily make the punishment fit the crime, she said. 'As I stated from the beginning, the intent was to seek justice for Reba and to be the voice for the voiceless, those that are harmed, abused and killed that can't speak for themselves,' Hardy said in April when the bill, which missed a deadline to move out of committee, was granted an excemption to be revived. Current law allows only misdemeanors to punish people involved in a wide variety of animal cruelty cases. The sentences range from one to four years in prison, even when the animal dies. This bill calls for tougher penalties in more extreme cases, including when an animal is killed or when a police animal is disabled or killed. The bill lists the punishment in both cases as imprisonment for a minimum term of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than six years. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo had not signed the bill as of Tuesday afternoon. RELATED: Dog dies in extreme Las Vegas heat after woman says she fell asleep, forgot about dog for 20 hours Reba's death made national headlines in 2024 as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' In December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32; and Markeisha Foster, 30, on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. On Monday, the 8 News Now Investigators reported that Laushaul wanted his trial to happen outside of Las Vegas because of intense media coverage. 'The media has followed this case/story extensively,' Laushaul's attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Now's reporting. 'Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about 'Reba,' interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to 'how this could have all happened.'' The filing indicates Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel was scheduled to hear arguments on both issues Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Defendant in ‘Reba' dog death wants trial moved from Las Vegas due to media buzz
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man accused of leaving a dog to die inside a sealed plastic tub in the summer heat wants his trial to happen outside of Las Vegas because of the intense media coverage, documents said. On July 26, 2024, Las Vegas Metro police officers found the English bulldog, later named 'Reba,' in the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue next to a dumpster inside a tote that was taped shut. The temperature that night hovered around 110 degrees. The National Weather Service reported a high of 111 for the evening. Reba died the next day. Her death made national headlines as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' Last December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32; and Markeisha Foster, 30, on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. Laushaul and Foster's trial was scheduled to begin later this month, however, an attorney for Laushaul filed paperwork asking a judge to move the case from Clark County. 'The media has followed this case/story extensively,' Laushaul's attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Now's reporting. 'Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about 'Reba,' interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to 'how this could have all happened.'' News coverage of Reba's death began in the months after Laushaul and Foster allegedly left her in the heat, as police released video footage of their suspects. The May 16 filing indicates Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. [T]he media attention on this case began even prior to the location and arrests of the co-defendants,' Laushaul's attorney said. 'Since that time, the publicity surrounding the case has been sensational, constant and prejudicial. Media coverage has included front page pictures, feature stories, in-depth analyses about how the legislature should increase the penalties for animal-related crimes.' Prosecutors oppose the venue change, writing, 'The mere existence of publicity does not require a trial to be moved.' While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel was scheduled to hear arguments on both issues Wednesday. Before a trial, lawyers for the defendant and prosecutors go through a process called 'voir dire,' where they pick a jury. Each side can reject a certain number of potential jurors until the panel is filled. Foster and Laushaul remained in custody Friday. A judge previously set Foster's bail at $50,000 and declined to set bail for Laushaul. Nevada Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy proposed 'Reba's Bill' to strengthen penalties against animal abusers in the wake of Reba's death. The bill had not passed the Legislature as of Monday, the final day of the session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lainey Wilson Fans Say She 'Never Misses' With ACM Awards Performance
Lainey Wilson's fans continue to be in awe of her career trajectory, including her most recent performance at the 2025 ACMs. Blake Shelton introduced her as the "reigning ACM entertainer of the year, Lainey fricking Wilson," as she took the stage to cheers from the audience. The country crooner kicked off her performance with her 2024 hit "Whirlwind," donning studded leather pants and a matching bra top, along with a black cowboy hat. "watching you is a breezeeee @laineywilson!! crushing it," the Bobby Bones radio show wrote. "Lainey Wilsonowning the award show stage, as always," another wrote, as someone else expressed, "Lainey Wilson is pure flames on that ACM stage. Stage presence 100. Voice on point. Song on point. Sex appeal on a 100+ Wow Mama. We are enthralled. I need to breathe! What a performance." "Queen @laineywilson killed it as always!This has really been a great awards show so far! So much great talent in country music right lately," a fan added. "Nerding out about @laineywilson's tornado simulator on stage for her #ACM60 performance," someone else wrote, of the funnel that appeared behind her mid-song. Plenty of fans also gushed about her outfit, stating that she looked like a "queen" in the bell-bottom fit, as another noted, "Any outfit Lainey Wilson has she never misses on it having bellbottoms." Before the show even kicked off on May 8, Wilson took home Artist-Songwriter of the Year, finidng out about the honor during rehearsls from host Reba and Miranda Lambert. The trio—spanning three generations of country music—are also set to take the stage at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, for an extremely emotional performance of their new single "Trailblazers."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inside Nashville's first Music City Rodeo as cowboys and concerts take over downtown
Friends Kayti Hall and Jade Parker represented the two types of fans piling into Bridgestone Arena for Nashville's inaugural Music City Rodeo: the one who grew up in the competitive sport and the one along for the ride. "My cousin's a pro bull rider," Parker said. "My other cousin has her pro card in barrel racing. I did barrel racing and flag racing when I was a kid." Parker, 23, moved to Nashville from Kansas City. She saw the Music City Rodeo advertised on TikTok and bought two tickets. "I love the rodeo," she said, explaining that she basically grew up in a hoof-printed arena. The bull buckin', cowboy stompin', horse lassoin' and mutton bustin' events course through her veins. "I'm used to the rodeo being outside," she said, "but honestly, Nashville made the most of it. They did a good job." Parker's friend Hall laughs. "I just came for Reba," she said of the May 29 concert headliner. It wasn't Hall's first rodeo, but it felt like it. Twenty years ago, the nail technician went to one in South Carolina. "I don't remember anything about it," she admitted and then pointed to Parker. "She's been explaining everything to me. I definitely missed my calling as a ... what was the the 8-year-old girl hanging upside down event called?" "Trick rider," Parker answered. "Yes, a trick rider," Hall said. "Maybe I'll quit my job and become a trick rider." The rodeo is scheduled for May 29-31. Doors open each night at 5:30 p.m. An hour later, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) events begin. Those include bareback riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and mutton busting, where children aged 3-8 wear a helmet and hold on to sheep bucking across the dirt palace. "It's fun," Maverick Czech said after his first-ever event. When asked how he thought it went, the 5-year-old in a brown cowboy hat and red Wrangler long-sleeve kept the reply simple: "I fell off." Maverick held a golden sheep participation trophy and his back number "5" as he walked next to his mother, Melissa Czech, outside the arena. "It was a very exciting lead-up," Melissa said. "We watched a lot of videos and talked to a lot of friends who gave some good tips on what to do." Maverick gripped the golden trophy and admitted the event wasn't hard. He hopes to be a rodeo-competing cowboy when he's older. Win Mardis won his bulldogging round, an event where competitors leap from a horse to wrestle a steer to the ground. The Natchez, Mississippi, athlete finished the task in 5.4 seconds. "I went out there and made a pretty good run," Mardis said. "You get on the horse and you ride, ride, ride until you slide off, grab [the steer] and twist his neck. It's wild horses chasing wild animals, you just never know what's going to happen." If the adrenaline pumping bull riding isn't enough entertainment, ticket holders cap off the night with a 90-minute concert. McEntire headlined May 29. Jelly Roll was set to be the May 30 entertainer, and Tim McGraw will close out the three-day event on May 31. Before taking the stage, the country icon dressed in turquoise and black was honored with a horse belt buckle and back number in memory of her father, Clark McEntire. She teared up at the gesture telling rodeo president Patrick Humes and co-founder Bryan Kaplan: "My whole life has been music and rodeo." Before jumping into a punchline, "Thank God I got into the music business." Edited to update headlines. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Inside opening night of inaugural Music City Rodeo at Bridgestone Arena
