We have a shocking story to report out of Indiana today.
According to the Union City Police Department, a 31-year-old school secretary named Alicia Hughes has been arrested for having sex with a minor.
And it seems that she was caught by her own husband — on Valentine’s Day, no less.
School secretary Alicia Hughes has been arrested for having sex with students. (Union City Police Department )
Hughes’ alleged misconduct came to light earlier this week, after police were called in response to a domestic violence situation.
The secretary had reportedly been battered by her husband, but shortly thereafter, she was the one who found herself in legal trouble.
Hughes’ husband caught her having sex with an 18-year-old student.
But investigators soon discovered that she had also (allegedly) had at least five sexual encounters with a 17-year-old male.
Hughes was arrested and charged with five counts of child seduction related to the sexual relationship with the minor.
She was transported to Randolph County Jail, where she is being held on a $25,000 bond.
School superintendent Neal Adams declined to say whether Hughes had been fired, revealing only that she “has been removed from all duties with students pending the outcome of the legal process.”
“Because this is an active criminal investigation, and to protect the privacy of students and the integrity of the process, RESC will not comment further on specific details at this time,” Adams said.
“We will continue to follow all legal and personnel procedures required under state law and board policy.”
It’s unclear at the moment if Hughes’ husband will be charged in connection with the assault, or if the
The couple reportedly have three children.
The New York Post says it has reached out to both the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and the Union City Police Department for comment, but has not received a response.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
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Bernie Sanders, then the mayor of Burlington, greets Jesse Jackson backstage at a 1988 Vermont rally where he endorsed Jackson’s presidential bid.AP Photo/Toby Talbot
Jackson’s campaigns energized a multiracial coalition that not only provided support for other late-20th-century Democratic politicians, including President Bill Clinton, but helped create an organizing template – a so-called Rainbow Coalition combining Black, Latino, working-class white and young voters – that continues to resonate in progressive politics today.
Vermont, where I teach political science, did not look like fertile ground for Jackson when he first ran for president. Then, as now, Vermont was one of the most homogeneous, predominantly white states in the country. But if Jackson seemed like an awkward fit for a mostly rural, lily-white state, he nonetheless saw possibilities there.
He campaigned in Vermont twice in 1984, buoyantly declaring in Montpelier, the state capital, “If I win Vermont, the nation will never be the same again.”
Jackson’s presidential ambitions coincided with a pivotal moment in Vermont politics: The state’s voting patterns were shifting left, with new residents arriving and changing the state’s culture and economy. In 1970, nearly 70% of Vermonters had been born there. By 1990, that figure had dropped by 10 percentage points.
The Vermont Rainbow Coalition, which was formed to support Jackson’s first campaign, organized a crucial constituency in a fluid time, establishing patterns that would persist for decades.
Setting the standard in Vermont
Jackson created a “People’s Platform” that would sound familiar to today’s progressives, calling for higher taxes on businesses, higher minimum wages and single-payer, universal health care.
In light of Jackson’s efforts, Vermont activists saw the potential for a durable statewide organization. Rather than disband the Vermont Rainbow Coalition after the 1984 primary, they kept the group going, endorsing candidates in campaigns for the legislature and statewide office in each of the next three election cycles. The coalition also endorsed Bernie Sanders’ failed bid for Congress in 1988.
Sanders served eight years as mayor of Burlington as an “independent socialist,” cultivating a core collection of local allies known as the Progressive Coalition who sought to wrest power away from establishment members of the city’s Board of Aldermen.
Sanders eventually went on to win election to the House as an independent in 1990, serving in the chamber until winning his Senate seat, also as an independent, in 2006. His presidential runs in 2016 and 2020 made him a prominent national figure and a leader among progressives.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who unseated a member of the House Democratic leadership in a stunning 2018 primary upset in New York, had been a Sanders campaign organizer and remains his close ally. On Jan. 1, 2026, Sanders swore in Zohran Mamdani – like Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic socialist – as mayor of New York City.
Sanders paid tribute to Jackson at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. “Jesse Jackson is one of the very most significant political leaders in this country in the last 100 years,” Sanders said. “Jesse’s contribution to modern history is not just bringing us together – it is bringing us together around a progressive agenda.”
Not just Vermont
In Vermont, Jackson performed surprisingly well in unlikely places – taking nearly 20% of the 1984 primary vote in working-class Bakersfield and Belvidere, for example.
Today’s Vermont Progressive Party, which emerged out of the old Vermont Progressive Coalition, is one of the most successful third parties in the nation, winning official “major party” status in the state shortly after its official founding in 2000. The party has elected candidates to the state legislature, city councils and even a few statewide offices, including that of lieutenant governor.
New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exhorts the crowd at a 2019 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign rally in Long Island City, N.Y. Invision/Greg Allen via AP
Vermont was not alone in experiencing the catalyzing effect of Jackson’s presidential runs. Jackson had a significant mobilizing impact on Black voters nationwide. In Washington state, the Washington Rainbow Coalition started in Seattle and spread across the state between 1984 and 1996. New Jersey and Pennsylvania had their own successful and independent Rainbow Coalitions. In 2003, the Rainbow Coalition Party of Massachusetts joined the Green Party to become the Green Rainbow Party.
In my own research, I’ve investigated the durability of the “Jackson effect” in Vermont. There is no better test of what differentiates the Vermont Progressive Party from the state’s Democratic Party than the 2016 Democratic primary race for lieutenant governor, which pitted progressive David Zuckerman against two prominent, mainstream Democrats.
Zuckerman beat the Democrats most handily in towns that had voted the most heavily for Jesse Jackson in 1984, an effect that persisted even when controlling for population, partisanship and liberalism.
Many people would point to Sanders as the catalyst for Vermont’s continuing progressive movement. But Sanders and the progressives owe much to Jackson.
Bert Johnson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
As he celebrates over three decades in country music, Trace Adkins is being honest with fans about the fact that his 30th Anniversary Tourmight be one of their last chances to see him live on the road.
He embarked on the headline trek in January as a way to celebrate his milestone anniversary in the business all year long with performances across Los Angeles, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Wyoming, Colorado, and more. Throughout the trek, fans can join him each night in honoring his catalog of hits that have grown since the release of his PLATINUM-certified debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud in 1996.
Trace Adkins; Photo by Kristin Barlowe
While speaking with Entertainment Tonight about the tour, Adkins admitted he’s still a little shocked that, all these years later, he’s not only making music and playing shows across the country, but that he’s still “relevant” among the fans.
“I’m just proud to be here and I’m glad that I’ve have fans that have stuck with me all these decades and I’m going to give them another year,” he shared.
He jokingly added that he doesn’t have another 30 years of touring in him, and he’s not even sure what his career will look like once he wraps up the 30th Anniversary Tourin September. The Louisiana native even revealed there’s a chance 2026 could be his final year of touring.
“I don’t have another 30 in me…I’m going to give ’em this year. I’m on tour hard this year, but then I can’t promise you anything after that,” he stated.
When asked how he will know that it’s time to take a step back and officially retire from the road, Adkins joked that he “knew 10 years ago,” but his accountant told him it was too soon to quit.
The 30th Anniversary Tour has already seen overwhelming demand, prompting the country legend to add more dates in cities across the U.S. Standout stops on the run include two nights at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium (May 22 and 23), along with iconic venues like Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth (March 7), The St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St. Augustine, Florida (April 16), Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming (July 22), and the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas (September 11).
Along with embarking on this run, fans can see Adkins returning to the big screen with the new film, I Can Only Imagine 2, premiering in theaters nationwide on February 20. Inspired by true events, I Can Only Imagine 2 picks up where the award-winning blockbuster I Can Only Imagine left off in 2018.
In this sequel, Adkins returns as Scott Brickell, the manager of the Oklahoma-bread rock band, MercyMe, whose iconic song “I Can Only Imagine” became the most-played song ever on Christian radio. The film dives into the story behind the band’s single “Even If,” amid a heartfelt journey of faith and family.
Joining Trace Adkins on the star-studded cast is John Michael Finley and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Milo Ventimiglia, stepping in as MercyMe’s newest member.
I Can Only Imagine 2 marks the latest addition to Adkins’ already impressive acting resume. He previously took on a recurring role on the iconic sitcom King of the Hill and appeared in critically acclaimed films like The Lincoln Lawyer, Deepwater Horizon, and most recently, 2025’s western action thriller Day of Reckoning, which co-starred Adkins and featured his original song “That Someday.”
From unforgettable nights on the 30th Anniversary Tour to his role in I Can Only Imagine 2, there are plenty of ways fans can witness Adkins’ talent in 2026. More information regarding the tour, including a full list of dates and how to purchase tickets can be found on his official website.
Becoming a mother has changed Lauren Alaina in every way possible. The country star welcomed her daughter, Beni Doll, into the world last June, and since then she admits her life has changed in all the best ways.
In a new interview with The Bobby Bones Show, the Georgia native shared that becoming a mom is “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She also told soon-to-be dad Bobby Bones that his life is about to change too.
“Everyone says that… and soon you will know, when they hand you that baby, your whole life changes,” she said.
While she loves every aspect of motherhood, Alaina revealed that one of her favorite parts is simply holding her daughter and seeing the way she looks at her.
“I guess my favorite part is the way she looks at me. I’ve never had someone look at me like that. She completely, oh, it’s making me sound emotional. But just she’s completely dependent on me and what a gift that I get to be the one that can nurture her and take care of her,” she gushed. “And then my second favorite is probably watching my husband with her. I love him so much more and I already loved him, but watching him, father her is pretty special.”
The “Little Things” singer went on to detail her husband’s sweet daily tradition with their daughter.
“He has a dance party with her every day when he gets home from work. So he will turn the music on in the living room and picks her up and they dance. And now…she’s eight months old…It’s almost like she expects the dance party.”
Cam Arnold with Beni Doll; Photo Courtesy Lauren Alaina
With Beni Doll now at the center of her world, conversations and interviews have naturally shifted to include more about her daughter — and Alaina says that’s perfectly fine.
“I would rather talk about her. It’s really interesting. I think people asking me about her is no problem because she is the center of my world. And honestly, it has opened me up a lot with anxiety and stuff about all of my job in general because my job is me. The brand is me. So I’m constantly thinking about me. I mean, that sounds crazy, but it’s true,” she admitted. “And now I have something more important and it’s her. So I don’t mind talking about her. I love talking about her. And yeah, I’ve always loved my career so much and it has been my identity, but now she is my identity and this is still so important to me and I love it, and I want to do it until I’ve made enough money to retire. I’m kidding…I’ll never stop singing. But she has freed me up a little bit in making it the only thing, my only purpose. And that’s really cool. That’s a cool thing to have. I’m thankful to have that.”
The powerhouse vocalist is balancing motherhood and life on the road for the first time as she tours with Rascal Flatts, often sharing glimpses of her journey with fans on social media.
That kid is a real person, and his dad has something to say
Over Valentine’s Day weekend, Reddick won a NASCAR racing event called the Daytona 500.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan is co-owner of the No. 45 Toyota stock car.
(The other co-owner is Denny Hamlin, who won that same car race three times a — a big deal in racing circles, pun mostly unintended.)
Amidst the celebration, a video appeared to show Jordan touching the lower back, shorts, and leg of a young boy. (As we explained, it appeared that he was trying to help the kid with his wet clothes.)
That child is 6-year-old Beau. He is Reddick’s son.
On Tuesday, February 17, Reddick appeared on Stephen A. Smith’s Sirius XM show.
There, he addressed the widely-publicized backlash over the video, with prompting from Smith.
“From my perspective, I’ve gotten to know Michael and his family very well,”
“I don’t see what other people see when it comes to this,”
Reddick gushed about the victory — clearly trying to pivot away from the backlash by focusing upon the positive.
A couple of days later, Tyler Reddick responds to an overblown controversy. (Image Credit: Sirius XM)
No, he isn’t ‘covering for’ anyone … and he’s not even trying
To someone with a clear understanding of the video, this isn’t a particularly remarkable interview.
Reddick is a racecar driver, not a PR specialist.
He simply answered the question, redirecting as well as he could.
The suggestion that the video is evidence of Jordan being some sort of predator is absurd, and Reddick knows that.
Unlike the strangers who saw Jordan try to help his friend’s son with his wet clothes and saw “brazen molestation” in broad daylight, he actually knows everyone involved.
However, to those who believe that this video actually portrayed some sort of insidious intent, Reddick’s interview likely didn’t reassure them.
Why?
Because, to the worst sort of assumptions, Reddick’s dismissal could sound like a man who doesn’t care what a wealthy celebrity does to his son — because he won the race.
That’s not the case.
In reality, Reddick knows that nothing bad happened to his son. And he really doesn’t want to play defense and explain what, realistically, any reasonable person could see for themselves.
Tyler Reddick speaks to Good Morning America. (Image Credit: ABC)
This ‘controversy’ was avoidable, for the record
As we previously acknowledged, Jordan may have made an error in judgment.
It is only natural to reach down and adjust the clothing of a young child whom you personally know. Especially for someone who is a father and a grandfather.
But it’s polite to ask someone before you mess with their clothing — even if you’re only trying to help.
That is, however, a far cry from the foul and baseless allegations that people on social media were hurling at the NBA icon.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where too many people would rather hunt for clues of sexual predators “hiding in plain site” than look for likely predators (who tend to be family or family friends) or actual sexual predators who infest our government and industries.
Playing foolish games of armchair detective with innocuous videos doesn’t keep kids safe.
We have sad news to report out of Hollywood today:
Tom Noonan — the beloved character actor who made a name for himself in films like Robocop 2 and Last Action Hero, and Heat — has passed away.
He was 74 years old.
Tom Noonan poses during a photocall for US director Charlie Kaufman’s film ‘Synecdoche, New York’ at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival on May 23, 2008 in Cannes, southern France. (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
News of his passing comes courtesy of a post on X (formerly Twitter) from Karen Sillas, who co-starred with Noonan in What Happened Was…, which Noonan also directed.
“My dear friend and co-star, Tom Noonan passed peacefully on Valentine’s Day 2026,” Sillas wrote (via the Daily Mail), adding:
“Working with him in his original off Broadway play, ‘What Happened Was…,’ at the Paradise Factory Theatre in the early nineties, was a turning point for me and my career that still resonates throughout my life and work as an actor.
“Little did I know when we shot it as a film a year later, we would be creating one of 1990’s most iconic Indies in American cinema.
“What a privilege and crazy fun it was working with this man and calling him my friend to the end… may his Legacy continue to shine on,” she concluded.
Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, directors Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson, actor Tom Noonan and producer Rosa Tran attend a photocall for ‘Anomalisa’ during the 72nd Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on September 8, 2015 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
In addition to his work in more mainstream blockbusters, Noonan developed a cult following, with roles in 1980s films like Monster Squad, Manhunter, and Heaven’s Gate.
He was also a frequent collaborator of filmmaker Charlie Kaufman’s, who cast him in Anomalisa and Synecdoche, New York.
Across social media, fans were quick to pay tribute to an actor with a well-deserved reputation for always turning in quality work.
“Man I’m sad about that. Incomparable. Feel a need to watch synecdoche new york or manhunt again ASAP, he defines those movies to me’” wrote X user (via the Daily Mail).
Actor Tom Noonan attends The Cinema Society and Mulberry screening of “Synecdoche, New York” at AMC Loews 19th Street East on October 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
“Tom Noonan was one of those “secret weapon” actors. Raised the quality of any project he was in because he was that good!,” another added.
“I saw Last Action Hero (a perfectly okay movie) as a kid and was horrified by Tom Noonan as The Ripper. This man was in so many films that are way better and will be mentioned a lot today. But his performance in this one really left an impression,” a third chimed in.
“RIP Tom Noonan, The Monster Squad was such a big part of my childhood and still is my favorite movie,” a fourth posted.
No cause of death has been revealed at this time, but we’ll keep you updated as new information becomes available.
Tom Noonan is survived by his two children and his brother, actor John Ford Noonan.
Our thoughts go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.
The 2026 lineup also features Kacey Musgraves, Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell and more. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
