The decision to keep Brian Cole Jr., who allegedly placed explosives outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee buildings on January 5, 2021, was made two days after a hearing in which prosecutors argued that Cole would pose a danger to others if he were released and allowed to live with his family.

Judge Matthew Sharbaugh wrote that: “The sudden and abrupt motivation behind Mr. Cole’s alleged actions presents concerns about how quickly the same abrupt and impulsive conduct might recur.”

He continued: “More, Mr. Cole reportedly told the FBI that he assembled the IEDs ‘in the hours before he drove to Washington, D.C. on January 5, 2021.’”

Cole has yet to enter a plea to the charges. No trial date has been set.

Sharbaugh said the speed at which Cole was able to allegedly assemble the bombs “suggest he can prepare dangerous explosive devices in short order, over a matter of hours, not necessarily days or weeks.”

“Given the precipitousness with which Mr. Cole reportedly acted, and the speed with which he was able to construct the so-called ‘pipe bombs,’ the Court lacks confidence that even the most rigorous set of release conditions can reasonably guard against the risk of future danger,” the judge wrote.

Sharbaugh added too that he shared concerns with prosecutors about how Cole allegedly deleted evidence and continued to purchase alleged bomb making parts after Cole allegedly placed the two bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee buildings.

Cole’s attorney argued he should be released into his grandmother’s custody.

Cole’s grandmother took the stand herself, promising to “make any adjustments that I need to make” to keep him out of trouble, adding that she had already placed cameras around the exterior of her home inside a gated community.

His defense attorney also stressed that Cole has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, two factors that should be considered for both his mindset in committing the alleged crimes and for his ability to navigate being in jail.

Further complicating the matter is that the Justice Department has secured an indictment against Cole that had not yet been accepted by a judge. Sharbaugh explained during the hearing that a grand jury in the local Superior Court in Washington, rather than the federal court, had handed up an indictment against Cole, and that he was watching a separate case with a similar issue move through the appeals process to determine what to do in Cole’s case.

A person familiar with the matter said that prosecutors used a superior court grand jury only because the federal grand juries were not meeting at the time.

The Patriots (13-3) enter Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins (7-9) having secured their first playoff berth since 2021. But with a victory against Miami and a loss or tie by the Denver Broncos against the Los Angles Chargers, New England could also secure the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye.

Focusing on those stakes was made more difficult after legal cases against receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman Christian Barmore surfaced this week.

Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. Barmore is facing a domestic assault and battery charge after his girlfriend told police he threw her to the ground in August. The NFL is reviewing the cases, but both are eligible to play this week.

“It’s definitely an open case, so I can’t even say anything about it,” Diggs told reporters Friday.

Barmore said he was keeping his mind on the field. “I’m focused on Miami. I’m focused on playing football,” he said.

Coach Mike Vrabel believes the team has done the best it can to balance giving those situations the necessary attention while also focusing on the game.

“We’ve taken the allegations very seriously, and what comes of that, I think then we’ll have another discussion,” Vrabel said. “But I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now and let the process take its toll.”

Quarterback Drake Maye said the team has taken its cues from Vrabel. The biggest advice the coach has offered is to let Diggs and Barmore speak for themselves. That said, Maye said he’s available for any of his teammates if they need him.

“I’m going to support them anyway I can, support my teammates, and I love those guys,” Maye said. “Those two, really everybody, I’ve really got a good relationship with. And I feel like whatever they need from me, I’m here for them.”

Miami arrives in New England looking to play the role of spoiler, while also getting a jump on the future with rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers set to make his third consecutive start since Tua Tagovailoa was benched.

The Dolphins are trying to avoid being swept by the Patriots for the first time since the 2016 season.

Coach Mike McDaniel said he’s avoided letting feelings interfere with his decision-making regarding Tagovailoa’s status.

“It’s my job to be able to make tough decisions. Getting personal about decisions that have a lot of consequences for individuals in the collective whole, I take my job too serious to really allow myself to go there,” McDaniel said. “Generally the tough things, that’s what I signed up for and that’s what people are counting on me to be able to do.”

Defending the schedule

The Patriots have only had one victory over a team (Buffalo) that entered the final week of the regular season with a record above .500.

That equates to the 10th-easiest schedule since the 1970 NFL merger, and has drawn criticism as they prepare for the playoffs.

It’s not something that has bothered Maye, however.

“We play who’s on our schedule, and we can’t control that,” he said. “Just trying to go out there and win. A lot of these teams that we do play are good, and they’re in the National Football League for a reason.”

Achane’s spark

De’Von Achane continues to be a spark for Miami’s offense and was voted the Dolphins’ most valuable player for the 2025 season.

The third-year running back leads the NFL in rushing average (5.7) and ranks fifth in rushing yards (1,350). Achane was also named to his first career Pro Bowl, making him the ninth Miami running back to earn the honor.

Achane’s speed and shiftiness were well documented when he played at Texas A&M, but Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has praised his vision and ability to maintain his balance after contact for extra yardage.

“Every time he shows up against an opponent, top of their agenda is to stop him,” McDaniel said. “And he can feel that the guys are trying to tattoo him and tackle him with aggression. When you’re able to combat that with successful, definitive, decisive action, his contact balance has improved.”

Campbell, Williams on track to return

The Patriots could get a boost with starters on both sides of the ball in line to return from stints on injured reserve.

Left tackle Will Campbell (knee) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) both practiced all week. Campbell has missed the past four games, while Williams sat out the previous five.

Williams’ return is particularly key for a New England run defense that has allowed 146.8 rushing yards per game while he was out. The Patriots allowed 84.7 yards over the first 11 games with Williams in the lineup.

QB signing

The Dolphins signed former North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller to the active roster off the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad Thursday.

Miller led the Bison to their 10th Football Championship Subdivision title last year, throwing for two touchdowns and running for two more in his 54th consecutive start as North Dakota State’s quarterback. The Raiders selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Miller isn’t likely to get any extended game action Sunday, but the young quarterback was signed to get acclimated with the team for the offseason.

Photos provided by Miami Beach Fire show the moments firefighters freed a pooch that was stuck underneath a building, Thursday night.

Officials say the pup got stuck after his leash got tangled around plumbing. Firefighters carefully entered the crawl space and safely freed the dog.

The puppy was unharmed and has since been reunited with his owner.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched at about 10:15 a.m., Friday, to the 14100 block of Northwest Fifth Avenue after receiving reports of a domestic incident.

Investigators said the victim was able to escape the residence, while the subject — described as an adult male — barricaded himself inside the home.

Law enforcement secured the area and worked the scene for several hours as negotiations continued.

Residents who live nearby had to wait several hours to back back in their own homes as the standoff unfolded.

“I called my son and went to go look and see what’s happening, he sees the police and he doesn’t see anything else. Maybe the people are inside the house,” a local area resident said.

At around 3 p.m., the man was taken into custody and placed into a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vehicle. No injuries were immediately reported.

Authorities have not released the identities of those involved or details about what led up to the incident.

Waller will miss the Dolphins’ regular-season finale at New England on Sunday, ending his lone season in Miami with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns — tied for seventh most among tight ends — in nine games.

The Dolphins are also dealing with injuries to several other key players entering Sunday’s game.

Veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks, the NFL’s leading tackler, is dealing with a hamstring injury but will likely try to play. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will be sidelined for the third straight game with a calf injury. Running back De’Von Achane, Miami’s best offensive playmaker this season with an NFL-leading 5.7 yards per rush, has not practiced this week because of a shoulder injury.

If Achane can’t play, the Dolphins will turn to Jaylen Wright and rookie Ollie Gordon.

“You utilize all of your players, including your entire running back room and give them opportunities that they probably otherwise wouldn’t have,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said.

Edwards entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with the New York Jets in 2025. He played collegiately at Michigan, rushing for 2,251 yards on 422 carries with 19 touchdowns in 14 career starts.

Miami also released cornerback Clarence Lewis from the practice squad.

Wagaman batted .250 with 28 doubles, nine home runs and 53 RBIs in 140 games as a rookie last season for the Marlins, finishing strong with a team-leading .328 average over 61 at-bats during the month of September. The 28-year-old Wagaman started 94 games at first base and 13 games in left field in 2025, after appearing in 18 games with the Los Angeles Angels in his debut in 2024.

Drafted in the 13th round in 2017 by the New York Yankees, Wagaman was designated for assignment earlier this week by the Marlins. He’ll provide the Twins more potential depth at first base along with Kody Clemens behind veteran Josh Bell, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract last month.

The Twins also designated infielder Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for Wagaman.

The 24-year-old Bragg was a 17th-round draft pick by the Twins in 2023. He finished last season with Double-A Wichita.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.5 and its epicenter was near the town of San Marcos in the southern state of Guerrero near the Pacific coast resort of Acapulco, according to Mexico ’s national seismological agency. There were more than 500 aftershocks.

The state’s civil defense agency reported various landslides around Acapulco and on other highways in the state.

Residents and tourists in Mexico City and Acapulco rushed into the streets when the shaking began. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said that one person died after suffering an apparent medical emergency followed by a fall while evacuating a building.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 21.7 miles (35 kilometers), 2.5 miles north-northwest of Rancho Viejo, Guerrero, which is in the mountains about 57 miles northeast of Acapulco.

Sheinbaum, who resumed her press briefing a short time later, said she spoke with Guerrero’s Gov. Evelyn Salgado, who told her there was no serious damage reported.

José Raymundo Díaz Taboada, a doctor and human rights defender who lives on one of the peaks ringing Acapulco, said he heard a strong rumble noise and all the neighborhood dogs began barking.

“In that moment the seismic alert went off on my cellphone,” he said, “and then the shaking began to feel strong with a lot of noise.”

He said the shaking was lighter than in some previous quakes and he had prepared a backpack of essentials to be ready to leave as the aftershocks continued.

He said he had been unable to reach some friends who live along the Costa Chica southeast of Acapulco because communications were cut.

Jamari Charles’ family told 7News life for all of them changed drastically, New Year’s Day.

“He’s so young. 14 years old, full of life,” said Talia Stewart, Charles’ aunt.

Charles was riding an ATV when he collided with a car near Southwest 220th Street and 118th Avenue as celebratory fireworks continued going off, Thursday night.

Charles had just received the ATV as a Christmas gift.

At first, his family had gotten some good news after he was taken to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in critical but stable condition.

“He has no broken bones. There was no internal bleeding or anything like that,” said Stewart.

However, Charles wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and has swelling on his brain as a result.

His doctors are keeping him sedated for the time being.

“He did sustain a head injury so right now we’re just trying to make sure that that is fine, but he is gonna be out of school for the rest of the year and he’s gonna be doing rehab and therapy,” said Stewart.

As an athlete and student at Arthur & Polly Mays 6-12 Conservatory of the Arts, his family described Charles as being passionate about football.

His family also said Charles is kind and loves his family.

“He’s a very respectful kid. We have a very big family, he’s very family-oriented,” said Stewart.

His family now sharing their love for him as he looks at several months to recover from the crash.

“We hate that it happened so young because the brain is still developing. We do believe that God can do anything, all things, God can do anything and God is a healer, so you know that he’ll make it out,” said Stewart.

For now, Charles’ family continues to pray that they receive more good news once he is no longer sedated.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the crash and no charges have been filed.

The family has created a GoFundMe asking for assistance to cover Charles’ medical expenses. If you would like to donate, click here.

And they were armed with paintbrushes, not hockey sticks.

The Panthers — a few hours before their Winter Classic outdoor game at the Miami Marlins’ ballpark against the New York Rangers — unveiled a couple dozen panther sculptures, all painted in a unique way and now being auctioned off with hopes of raising $1 million for cancer research.

Gretzky commissioned a sculpture that displays some of his stats, Johnson arranged one depicting a scene from Augusta National, Bublé’s is adorned in rhinestone braille, the NBA’s Heat commissioned a pair of sculptures with some of the team’s themes, artist Romero Britto painted one as well and Navratilova didn’t technically paint hers — she dipped tennis balls into paint and then served them into the panther, creating a polka-dotted splash of various colors.

“To be able to have the privilege to reach out and make those contacts and have those folks say, ‘Of course,’ what a gift that was,” Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. “It’s just so neat.”

About $700,000 has been raised already, Zito said. The idea for the fundraiser — “Panthers on the Prowl,” they call it — is loosely built around Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” art project. Zito and his wife Julie co-chair the Panthers’ project; she is a breast cancer survivor, and Zito has lost a number of relatives to the disease.

“It was my wife Julie’s idea,” Zito said. “And we lived in Chicago during ‘Cows on Parade,’ and then Romero Britto said we should auction them. I can’t take credit for any of it.”

Many of the panthers were on display at LoanDepot Park on Friday, where about 35,000 fans attending the Winter Classic would see them.

“There’s a tear and a smile,” Zito said. “And then you think, you know what, there’s a reason that everybody is engaged. There’s a reason that everybody gave their time and their talent. And it’s because it works and it’s right.”

Christian Sturdivant was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Investigators said he told an undercover FBI employee posing as a supportive confidant about his plans to attack people with knives and a hammer.

Worried Sturdivant might attempt violence before New Year’s Eve, the FBI placed him under constant surveillance for days, including on Christmas, U.S. Attorney for western North Carolina Russ Ferguson said.

Agents were prepared to arrest him earlier if he left his home with weapons, Ferguson said at a news conference. “At no point was the public in harm’s way.”

Sturdivant was arrested Wednesday and remained in custody after a federal court appearance Friday. An attorney representing him did not immediately respond to an email or phone message seeking comment. Another hearing was scheduled for Jan. 7.

The alleged attack would have taken place one year after 14 people were killed in New Orleans by a U.S. citizen and Army veteran who proclaimed support for IS on social media.

The FBI has foiled several alleged attacks through sting operations in which agents posed as terror supporters, supplying advice or equipment. Critics say the strategy can amount to entrapment of mentally vulnerable people who wouldn’t have the wherewithal to act alone.

Searches of Sturdivant’s home and phone uncovered what investigators described as a manifesto detailing plans for the attack, FBI Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle told reporters.

“He was willing to sacrifice himself,” Barnacle said.

A handwritten note found in a trashcan at Sturdivant’s home listed details of the planned attacks and the number of intended victims at a Burger King restaurant and unnamed grocery store, according to an FBI affidavit.

The note also said he would attack arriving officers and “hoped to die by the hands of police.”

Ferguson acknowledged that Sturdivant worked at a Burger King. It wasn’t clear if that was the same restaurant cited in the note. Ferguson declined to identify the targeted businesses, citing the ongoing investigation.

If convicted, Sturdivant faces up to 20 years in prison, according to court documents.

The fact that Sturdivant encountered two undercover officers while allegedly planning the attack should reassure the public, Ferguson said.

The affidavit says the investigation began last month after authorities linked Sturdivant to a social media account that posted content supportive of IS, including imagery that appeared to promote violence. The account’s display name referenced Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of the extremist group.

Some experts argue that IS is powerful today partly as a brand, inspiring both militant groups and individuals in attacks that the group itself may have no real role in.

The affidavit says Sturdivant had been on the FBI’s radar in January 2022, when he was a minor, after officials learned he’d been in contact with a suspected IS member in Europe, and received instructions to dress in black, knock on people’s doors and commit attacks with a hammer.

At that time, Sturdivant set out for a neighbor’s house armed with a hammer and a knife but was restrained by his grandfather, the affidavit says.

The FBI in Los Angeles last month announced the disruption of a separate New Year’s Eve plot, arresting members of an extremist anti-capitalist and anti-government group who federal officials said planned to bomb multiple sites in southern California.

Other IS-inspired attacks over the past decade include a 2015 shooting rampage by a husband-and-wife team who killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California, and a 2016 massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, by a gunman who fatally shot 49 people.