California ‘party mom’ faces reckoning for hosting alcohol-fueled teen sex parties

A California mother dubbed the "Los Gatos party mom" has been convicted of felony child abuse after prosecutors said she hosted alcohol- and sex-fueled parties for young teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After a trial and several days of deliberations, a jury found Shannon O’Connor, 51, guilty of 48 charges, including two felony sex offenses. O’Connor, also known as Shannon Bruga, faces prison when she is sentenced later this year.

If the court applies the aggravating circumstances, she could face more than 30 years in prison, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. During the trial, 20 young adults and 41 witnesses testified.

ALLEGED CRIMINAL HISTORY OF MISSING MOM FOUND AFTER 24 YEARS CATCHES UP WITH HER

Deputy District Attorney Joanna Lee alleged O’Connor hosted "chaotic, alcohol-soaked benders," adding that "for many freshmen at Los Gatos High in 2020, their first experience with alcohol ended in overconsumption, vomiting and blackouts."

"[O’Connor’s] house was a place for children to engage in sexual conduct. The defendant groomed the children, normalized sex, encouraged hookups and sexual behavior," she said.

O’Connor was arrested in June 2021 and has remained in custody for more than four years as the case moved through preliminary hearings, motions and a grand jury process that resulted in a 63-count indictment in 2023.

The indictment included 20 felony and 43 misdemeanor counts, among them child endangerment, furnishing alcohol to minors and sex-related offenses. O’Connor had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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Authorities said O’Connor developed close relationships with groups of teenagers and, at times, was the only adult present at the house parties.

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Jury selection began in late 2025, and testimony stretched roughly 16 weeks before closing arguments. Prosecutors presented dozens of witnesses, including victims identified in court as Jane Does and John Does.

Jane Doe 6 reportedly went on to allege her best friend, a 14-year-old girl identified as Jane Doe 4, experienced symptoms of depression and alcoholism after being sexually and physically abused by boys at the parties.

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"[John Doe 7] would touch her in front of everybody," Jane Doe 6 told the court, according to KRON. "It was bad, it was weird."

The young girl reportedly went on to testify that when John Doe 7 drank alcohol, he would act violently toward the girls at the parties and "no one reacted to it."

"On one occasion, Jane Doe 4 was sitting in [O’Connor’s] kitchen in her swimsuit when John Doe 7 began to punch Jane Doe 4 on her leg," Lee wrote in court documents. "[O’Connor] was drinking a glass of champagne and laughed as she watched. John Doe 7 stood over her and continued to kick her legs and stomach all while [O’Connor] was sitting in the kitchen."

Jurors also heard from law enforcement investigators, forensic specialists and medical professionals throughout the trial.

District Attorney Rosen praised the young victims who testified.

"This defendant not only didn’t protect these children, she endangered their safety, coordinated their sexual assaults, and she tried to get them not to tell," Rosen said. "These brave kids came forward to tell the truth about what happened and to put a stop to it."

The mother of one of the victims called O’Connor a child predator who is "getting what she deserves."

The judge will now determine whether aggravating factors should be applied at sentencing — a decision that could increase O’Connor’s prison term. Prosecutors argued those factors include the vulnerability of the victims and what they described as O’Connor’s sophisticated planning of the crimes.

O’Connor is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26.

Fox News Digital's Julia Bonavita contributed to this report. 

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-party-mom-faces-reckoning-hosting-alcohol-fueled-teen-sex-parties

13 easy backyard upgrades to refresh your outdoor space, starting at $20

As temperatures rise, your backyard can quickly become the most-used area of your home. Adding layered lighting, comfortable seating and smart storage makes the space more inviting — without a full renovation. From string lights and outdoor rugs to fire pits and lounge sets, these easy upgrades start at $20.

Add lighting and outdoor rugs for quick upgrades without committing to a full makeover.

Original price: $39.99

If a patio or deck feels unfinished, an outdoor rug can help pull the space together. This large patterned rug works well under seating areas or dining tables and cleans up easily with a sweep or hose. It also folds up and stores away in the included bag when not in use.  

Original price: $39.99

Few upgrades transform a patio faster than string lights. These solar-powered strands cast a warm glow and come with a remote and timer. With 15 sockets and 16 shatterproof bulbs, they’re built to last.

Original price: $39.99

Solar deck lights are an easy way to make outdoor spaces better lit and more inviting. They turn on automatically at dusk and off at dawn, providing light for steps and pathways. A full charge takes about four to five hours in direct sunlight.

Original price: $29.99

These large whiskey barrel planters give the look of wood without the upkeep, and the built-in drainage helps avoid overwatering. Prefer something sleeker? The all-white fiberstone planter gives a modern feel and works indoors or out.

READ MORE: 15 clever, affordable upgrades to make your home feel new again

Original price: $51.99

Add this modern black lantern to a dim or completely unlit porch or patio for a bit of extra light and style. The seeded glass casts a soft, textured glow at night, and the fixture comes with mounting hardware for simple installation.

Planters and patio sets add color and function to your backyard without overspending.

Original price: $95.04

An extra side table gives you a spot for drinks and small plates while relaxing in a lounge or Adirondack chair. This black steel version stays cooler in the sun thanks to its powder-coated finish and cleans up quickly with a hose. 

Original price: $79.99

Protect cushions, pool floats and gardening tools in this lockable deck box. It helps keep everything in one place and even doubles as extra seating when guests stop by. For bigger storage needs, this 5-by-3-foot shed has double doors and room for lawn tools or even a mower.

Original price: $173.99

Planning to grow vegetables this spring? A raised garden bed lets you control soil quality and drainage while cutting down on weeds. This galvanized steel option comes in silver, wood grain, black or green to blend in with garden decor. For even easier access, this elevated garden bed reduces bending and back strain.

Get more out of your backyard with bigger investment upgrades like a fire pit or pizza oven.

Original price: $248.99

A fire pit makes a backyard more inviting after sunset. This wood-burning steel design features a crossweave pattern for better airflow and includes a protective screen to help contain sparks. 

Original price: $674.99

Lounge chairs help you get more use out of your backyard, whether you’re reading a book or relaxing by the pool. This set is made from durable polyresin designed to handle sun and heat, and the adjustable backs fully recline. Add striped cushions for extra comfort and style.

READ MORE: 11 practical home upgrades you'll actually use – all 40% off or more on Amazon

Original price: $139.99

This sleek three-piece rattan set comes with two cushioned high-back chairs and a glass coffee table that fits comfortably in tight spaces. A quick wipe keeps it looking clean, making it practical for everyday use.

Original price: $153.99

Get more use out of your backyard with this two-person dining set. The woven rattan chairs offer a modern look and supportive design, and the cushions come in neutral tones. For larger gatherings, this six-piece set seats four and includes an umbrella.

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals 

Original price: $169.99

Cook homemade pizza with this stainless steel oven. It offers multiple fuel options — wood pellets, electric or gas — for flexible cooking. A pizza stone is included, and the folding legs make storage simple.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

source https://www.foxnews.com/deals/backyard-upgrades

You Break It, You Own It? Not for Trump When It Comes to Iran

“We’ll see what happens with the people,” President Trump said as he appeared to be distancing himself from the longer-term consequences of the war in Iran. March 3, 2026 at 11:35PM

Video shows ex-'American Idol' contestant's emotional outburst after he allegedly killed his wife

Newly released bodycam video obtained by Fox News Digital shows the husband of an Ohio teacher, who was shot and killed inside the couple's home, reacting in the immediate aftermath of her death. 

Caleb Flynn, 39, is charged with murder stemming from the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn. 

The mother, teacher and volleyball coach was shot and killed inside the family's Tipp City home on Feb. 16. Caleb Flynn was arrested later the same week after he initially called 911 to report that someone had broken into the family’s home. 

Video released by Tipp City police shows officers arriving at the home believing they were responding to a botched burglary attempt, with some clips blurred while showing the inside of the residence.

FBI JOINS PROBE IN MURDER OF CHRISTIAN TEACHER SHOT IN OHIO HOME AS 'AMERICAN IDOL' HUSBAND, CHILDREN SLEPT

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The officers subsequently encounter Caleb Flynn inside the home. 

"Oh, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," a sobbing Caleb Flynn says in the video. 

"Is she, is she gone?" he asks. "What do I do with my daughters?" 

Caleb Flynn continues to appear frantic throughout the initial search of the home, loudly crying and hyperventilating as officers attempt to communicate with him. 

At one point, he can be heard calling his own mother to inform her of the situation. 

"Ashley’s dead," he repeats, sobbing, "Mommy, she’s gone. I don’t know what to do."

FAMILY OF OHIO TEACHER ‘CLINGING TO FAITH’ AFTER EX-'AMERICAN IDOL' CONTESTANT HUSBAND CHARGED WITH HER MURDER

Several minutes later, bodycam video captures Caleb Flynn exiting the home before stumbling and falling to the ground. 

He is later seen throwing up in the front yard of his home as he is comforted by a woman who arrived at the scene and is later identified as the children’s grandmother. 

"The girls don’t know," he adds, as the woman also breaks down in tears.

The couple shared two daughters, who were asleep inside the home when the shooting happened, according to a 911 call and the bodycam video.

FMR AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANT, HUSBAND OF OHIO TEACHER CHARGED WITH WIFE'S MURDER AFTER SHE WAS FOUND IN HOME

In a 911 call obtained by Fox News Digital, Caleb Flynn can be heard telling authorities that someone broke into his house and killed his wife. 

"Oh my god, somebody broke into my home, somebody broke into my home and shot my wife," Caleb Flynn said. "My wife, she's got two shots to her head, there's blood everywhere. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my God."

CHRISTIAN MOTHER, TEACHER FOUND DEAD AS POLICE HUNT HOMICIDE SUSPECT IN OHIO HOME INVASION 

The dispatcher then asked if Ashley was breathing, to which he responded, "No, I don’t think so." 

"Ashley, Ashley, baby, baby please, oh my god, there's no - she's not!" he said.

LISTEN – 911 CALL: 

Caleb Flynn then added that he found the door "leading to the garage door" "wide open" at the time of the shooting.

Additionally, the individual who called 911 told dispatchers that the kids were asleep in their rooms at the home, according to News Center 7.

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"Someone broke into the RP [reporting person’s] house, unknown if they are still there. Garage door is open," the dispatcher said. "There was apparently a female shot in the head. Is not responding currently."

"Squad is en route; they aren’t staged yet. Are they good to respond in?" the dispatcher asked.

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"Yes, one person only," a first responder replied.

The two young children were reportedly asleep in their bedrooms when the shooting happened.

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"RP and juvenile daughter are locked in a bedroom," the dispatcher told police, according to the outlet.  "Just a correction — the juveniles are going to be in their own rooms asleep currently."

Three days later, Caleb Flynn was arrested in connection with his wife’s killing.

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He is charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of tampering with evidence. 

Prosecutors allege that "Caleb Flynn murdered his wife [redacted] in the morning hours of February 16, 2026," according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. He allegedly used a 9mm handgun to kill his wife and later staged a crime scene inside the home, causing responding officers to be "led estray," documents said. 

He was later booked into the Miami County Jail and arraigned. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and had his bond set at $2 million.

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In a previous statement to Fox News Digital, Caleb Flynn's attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, said prosecutors rushed to accuse his client of murder.

"Caleb Flynn entered a plea of Not Guilty this morning and looks forward to defending this case. We are both disappointed and concerned about the short timeline and seeming rush to judgment in this case," Mulligan said. "When the government runs out of leads or can't develop leads and looks at a surviving spouse in cases such as these, the chance of a wrongful conviction increases."

In 2013, Caleb Flynn was a contestant on "American Idol" and was filmed talking about his love for his wife and their relationship during a Hometown Interview segment. 

"I absolutely love the Lord. I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. I love her," Caleb Flynn said. "But, you know, I'm just a normal person who absolutely loves to sing more than anything in the world."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Flynn's attorney for additional comment.

Fox News Digital's Tessa Hoyos and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report. 

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/video-shows-ex-american-idol-contestants-emotional-outburst-after-he-allegedly-killed-his-wife

Cincinnati may be the next city to fund reparations program with marijuana tax money

The Cincinnati City Council will consider in early March a reparations housing program that would use tax revenue on marijuana to fund a portion of it. 

The city is expected to discuss the "Cincinnati Real Property Reparations Program," a proposal cosponsored by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and Councilman Scotty Johnson. 

The program would offer assistance to "low-to-moderate income residents" and "any individual or family member of an individual who was prevented from buying a home due to discriminatory practices," the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

The two officials want an initial investment of $5 million for the program using proceeds from marijuana tax revenue and the city’s capital budget, according to the Enquirer. The program would target residents in 15 of the city's 52 neighborhoods, and would allow recipients to use the money for a down payment, pay delinquent property taxes or emergency home repairs. 

ILLINOIS CITY'S REPARATIONS PLAN IS MISGUIDED, DIVISIVE AND LIKELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Supporters of the proposal point to a city housing policy from the 1920s that discriminated against Black residents from owning property. The city's Real Estate Board forbade agents from selling or renting homes to Black residents in White or suburban neighborhoods at the time. Supporters also cite federal redlining policies that prevented Black people from getting loans to purchase homes. 

"Let's repair some of the damage done to low-income communities that kept the residents from owning homes and other real estate and prevented building of generational wealth," Kearney told the Enquirer. 

SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENTS BAND TOGETHER TO SHUT DOWN REPARATIONS FUND, CLAIMING IT’S ‘DIVIDING’ THE CITY

Cincinnati NAACP President David Whitehead urged people not to be opposed to the term "reparation" and be more receptive to it.

"I think people get confused and caught up with word 'reparation,'" Whitehead said. "It’s restoring people that have been unfairly treated."

Whitehead, Kearney, nor Johnson responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

CHICAGO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON TAKES JAB AT CLARENCE THOMAS WHILE DEFENDING CITY'S REPARATIONS TASK FORCE

Reparation programs continue to be debated and introduced around the country. 

Evanston, Illinois was the first city to issue $25,000 in reparation payments to some Black residents, using marijuana tax revenue.

Proponents of Evanston's program said their city provided a model for others to follow. 

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said his city showed how reparations could be a "tangible" reality. 

"Our job here is just to move forward and to continue being that example, to continue illustrating that a small municipality can make real tangible progress," he said.

source https://www.foxnews.com/media/cincinnati-may-be-next-city-fund-reparations-program-marijuana-tax-money

Mike Waltz turns tables on Iranian envoy at heated UN meeting

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Saeid Iravani, sparred with U.S. envoy Mike Waltz at a Security Council session on Sunday, telling the American ambassador to "be polite," a remark that drew a sharp rebuke from Waltz, who accused Tehran of killing "tens of thousands" of its own citizens and imprisoning many more simply for seeking freedom from "your tyranny."

"I have one word only: I advise to the representative of the United States to be polite," Iravani said during the emergency meeting.

Moments later, Waltz responded: "Frankly, I’m not going to dignify this with another response, especially as this representative sits here in this body representing a regime that has killed tens of thousands of its own people and imprisoned many more simply for wanting freedom from your tyranny."

UN CHIEF BLASTED AS ‘ABJECTLY TONE-DEAF’ OVER MESSAGE TO IRAN MARKING REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY

The exchange came during an emergency Security Council briefing as the United States, Israel and Iran entered war, with diplomats offering sharply different interpretations of the expanding military campaign and its legality under international law.

In extended remarks at the session, Waltz rejected what he described as Iran’s "ridiculous and frankly farcical assertion" that U.S. actions violated international law, arguing that the United States acted "in close coordination with the Government of Israel" and "in line with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations," which addresses self-defense.

He also reiterated that Iran supports armed proxies across the region and has destabilized the Middle East for decades.

AMBASSADOR MIKE WALTZ LAYS OUT ‘AMERICA FIRST’ VISION FOR US LEADERSHIP AT THE UN

The clash unfolded against the backdrop of broader controversy surrounding Iran’s standing within the U.N. system, previously reported by Fox News Digital. Last month, Iran was elected vice chair of the U.N. Charter Committee, a body focused on examining and strengthening the principles of the U.N.’s founding document — a move that drew criticism from Israeli and Western officials.

Fox News Digital also reported earlier that month on backlash after U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres sent a congratulatory message to Iran marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a gesture critics described as "abjectly tone-deaf" given Tehran’s human rights record.

The United States is set to assume the rotating presidency of the Security Council on March 1, a role that shifts monthly and gives the presiding country control over the council’s agenda and meeting schedule, placing Washington in a key procedural position as tensions continue to mount.

source https://www.foxnews.com/world/mike-waltz-turns-tables-iranian-envoy-heated-un-meeting

Anti-US protesters funded by pro-China tycoon mobilize as first bombs fall on Iran

In the dark of the night, 10 minutes before President Donald Trump even announced that the U.S. and Israel had attacked Iran, a network of U.S. nonprofits aligned with China, Russia and Tehran activated foot soldiers to hit America's streets.

Groups funded by Neville Roy Singham, a Shanghai-based, American-born tech tycoon, which regularly parrot messaging from America's adversaries, swung into action even as the initial bombs were dropping. The nearly instantaneous response was the latest salvo in an information war on the U.S., with foot soldiers called upon to converge in protests and echo anti-U.S. talking points.

At 2:34 a.m. ET, the ANSWER Coalition, a nonprofit project whose leaders self-describe as Marxist and communist, announced: "EMERGENCY NATIONWIDE DAY OF ACTION TODAY, SAT. FEB 28 — STOP THE WAR WITH IRAN!"

ISRAEL TARGETS IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER IN SWEEPING STRIKES AS US JOINS ‘OPERATION EPIC FURY’

It announced its network: groups that have long supported the regime in Iran, including the National Iranian American Council, 50501, American Muslims for Palestine, the People’s Forum, Palestinian Youth Movement, and CodePink. The organizations haven't responded to requests for comment. Singham did not respond to a request for comment.

The network set the language for their anti-U.S. messaging, calling the war an "unprovoked, illegal bombing of Iran." It even set up a website domain for the coordinated actions: http://ANSWERCoalition.org.

BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL: LEFT-WING GROUPS DEFIANT AS GOP SHEDS LIGHT ON GROUPS TIED TO CHINA

Ten minutes later, at 2:44 a.m., Trump posted a video, confirming the attack on Iran, telling the world: "A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran.

Eight minutes later, at 2:52 a.m., the People’s Forum — a New York-based activist hub funded by Singham as an "incubator" for socialist groups — issued an "emergency" call to action for a protest in Times Square.

"🚨 EMERGENCY DAY OF ACTION IN NYC TO STOP THE WAR WITH IRAN: TODAY, 2/28 at 2PM in Times Square," the People's Forum announced.

FOX NEWS DIGITAL ANALYSIS: HOW MINNEAPOLIS AGITATOR NETWORKS USE INSURGENCY TACTICS TO HINDER ICE

The ANSWER Coalition runs operations out of the People's Forum headquarters in midtown Manhattan. The People’s Forum statement mirrored the messaging in a new video released overnight before the attacks by the Chinese Communist Party, framing the U.S. as an imperial and colonial power. The People's Forum said:

"This war serves no one but a tiny elite and oil executives and is a continuation of more than two years of genocide in Palestine and US-Israeli aggressions throughout the region," The People's Forum said in a statement.

The same network has mobilized rapidly in past high-profile national security incidents. It previously rallied in support of Nicolás Maduro after U.S. authorities arrested him and his wife, Sylvia Flores, on Jan. 3 for alleged involvement in narcoterrorism.

Earlier this month, when the State Department sent a report to the U.S. Congress raising concerns about this network, it stated, "Organizations like Code Pink and the People’s Forum denigrate the United States, whitewash the violence of Marxist regimes, and run cover for narco-terrorists like Maduro while enjoying an influx of cash from a donor network with connections to the Chinese Communist Party."

IRAN'S IDEOLOGICAL FOOT SOLDIERS WAGE PROXY WAR IN AMERICA

Last summer, the same coalition — including the People’s Forum, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the ANSWER Coalition and CodePink — rallied outside the White House under the banner "Hands Off Iran." That protest was coordinated alongside the National Iranian American Council and amplified by BreakThrough News, which broadcast images of children holding anti-war signs at the White House fence.

Through the night of the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, field marshals immediately readied printed signage, standardized messaging and coordinated media amplification, according to people familiar with the organizations. They linked anti-Israel activism, anti-ICE protests and anti-Trump messaging into a single narrative framework opposing what organizers call the U.S. "empire." Their messages aligned with the messages of pro-regime protests in Iran.

By 4:31 a.m., BreakThrough News, a project of BreakThrough BT Media, a nonprofit funded by Singham, promoted the day of "emergency" protests as "BREAKING" news. It shares the same address as the People's Forum, and its editor-in-chief, Ben Becker, is the son of Brian Becker, a co-founder of the ANSWER Coalition.

FAR-LEFT NONPROFITS IN THE HOT SEAT AS LAWMAKER EXPOSES THEM FOR 'SOWING CHAOS' IN US

At 7:19 a.m., BreakThrough News circulated a video of an alleged U.S. strike on a school, which the network's organizations repeated and amplified to portray the U.S. as an unbridled aggressor. The U.S. hasn't commented yet on that alleged strike.

By 9:09 am., China's Foreign Ministry called for an end to the strikes, its language aligning with the rhetoric of the U.S. protest infrastructure, calling for the defense of Iran's "sovereignty" and "territorial integrity."

By then, as many Americans were just awakening to the news, the protest infrastructure was fully engaged with social media graphics circulating, local chapters alerted and Times Square positioned once again as a stage for the rapid mobilization of foot soldiers who would have their images broadcast around the world with the predictable language of Americans mobilizing a "grassroots" campaign against the U.S. war on Iran.

At 11 a.m., the protests had spread to 16 hubs for the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation: Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Akron, Cincinnati and Cleveland in Ohio; Asheville and Charlotte in North Carolina; Boston, Burlington, Vt.; San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Davis and Los Angeles in California, Providence, R.I; Tucson, Ariz. and Eugene, Ore.

A network of pro-regime organizations in Chicago released their own press release, parroting the messaging against "the U.S. empire."

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/nonprofits-funded-by-pro-ccp-tycoon-mobilize-pro-regime-protests-10-minutes-before-trump-even-reveals-he-launc