USA makes history with first team gold medal win in women’s fencing at Olympic Games

United States' Lee Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs, Jaqueline Dubrovich and Maia mei Weintraub celebrate after winning the women's team foil semifinal match. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Paris

Team USA took home its first-ever gold medal in the final round of the women’s fencing foil match on Thursday.

Team USA – which includes Laureen Scruggs, Lee Kiefer, Jackie Dubrovich and Maia Weintraub – held on for a 45-39 win over Italy in the final.

The team advanced to the gold medal round after beating Canada 45-31.

Kiefer won a gold medal already during the women’s foil and Scruggs earned a silver medal for their individual performances.

Now, they have gold together at the Paris Olympics.

Kiefer became the first American fencer to win three Olympic gold medals.

The U.S. has four fencing medals at the Paris Olympics and two gold medals in fencing at the same Olympics for the first time, as well as a first-ever team gold for the U.S.

1 in 100 million: Rare ‘cotton candy’ lobster caught off the coast of New Hampshire

A lobster company recently caught an extremely rare lobster off the coast of New Hampshire. (Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH)

Rye. N.H.

A lobster company recently caught a rare shellfish off the coast of New Hampshire.

According to the Seacoast Science Center, workers with the Atlantic Lobster Company reeled in a “cotton candy” lobster on one of their recent fishing trips.

A spokesperson for the nonprofit organization said the odds of catching such a lobster, known for its cotton candy-like colors, are about 1 in 100 million.

Earlier this month, a general manager of a Red Lobster in Colorado said one of her workers discovered a rare orange lobster.

Orange lobsters turn up in 1 out of every 30 million lobsters.

“Lobsters come in a few color descriptions from orange, yellow, red, blues, and cotton candy -- which is a mixture of pinks and purples on a blue backdrop resembling cotton candy. So, this is where the name comes from,” Seacoast Science Center Aquarist II Sam Rutka shared.

The orange lobster will be spending the rest of its life at the Denver Aquarium while the cotton candy shellfish has found a permanent home at the science center in New Hampshire.

Former contestant on ‘The Bachelor’ dies at 31

Hailey Merkt, a former contestant on "The Bachelor," has died after a battle with cancer. (GoFundMe)

A former contestant on “The Bachelor” has died after a battle with cancer at the age of 31.

Hailey Merkt died after battling leukemia, according to her friends and family.

“It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life,” an Instagram message posted on Tuesday read.

Merkt appeared on the 21st season of the ABC reality series in 2017.

The former reality TV contestant began sharing updates on social media following her leukemia diagnosis years after appearing on the show.

In April, she announced that she was “leukemia-free” after an experimental treatment that had just a 2% chance of working.

“This test took weeks to get back. The suspense was killing us all! But then I got the call that I was cancer-free,” Merkt wrote. “I still have a ton of healing. My immunity will be the same as a newborn until 12 months post-transplant. So, I’ll be slowly and carefully getting better day by day.”

This week, her loved ones sadly shared the update on Merkt’s behalf regarding her death last Friday.

They said after the bone marrow transplant had occurred, Merkt was told she had nine months to not think about cancer, but it turned out she had just six weeks before she got the news that leukemia cells were back and moving fast.

“Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness,” the Instagram message continued. “Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets. “

Several of Merkt’s friends and family have shared their condolences and memories on social media.

‘Heartbreaking’: 5-year-old girl drowns at pool party weeks before 6th birthday

A Georgia family says their 5-year-old child's life was cut short by a drowning accident last week. (GoFundMe)

Atlanta

A child in Georgia reportedly drowned at a pool party just weeks before her 6th birthday.

Family members said Layla Gigger’s life was cut short at 5 years old by a drowning accident over the weekend.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of our beloved Layla,” Laron Gigger, Layla’s uncle shared through a GoFundMe.

Layla was invited to a friend’s birthday party at an apartment complex last week.

Her mother, Antwanesha Fulton, told WSB that she brought Layla, her 1-year-old, and 1-month-old babies to the party which was hosted by a previous neighbor.

Fulton shared that she left Layla with another mother at the party while she took her two younger children home.

According to Fulton, she received a call about 10 minutes later about her daughter drowning.

WSB reports that people were attempting to give Layla CPR and she was taken to the hospital, but she ultimately died.

“She was a talented, beautiful, and sweet little girl whose confident and heartwarming spirit touched everyone around her,” Laron Gigger wrote.

Layla’s birthday would have been Aug. 10.

Loved ones said she was also excited about starting the first grade at the end of summer break.

“Layla’s presence in our lives was a gift, and her absence leaves an unfillable void,” Laron Gigger shared.

Family members have thanked the community for the support they have already received since Layla’s passing.

“Thank you for your support during this heartbreaking time. Your kindness and generosity are deeply appreciated as we strive to celebrate Layla’s life and cherish her memory,” Laron Gigger said.

FedEx driver accused of stealing $5,000 French bulldog that died in his hot delivery truck

Kimani Joehon Marshall is facing charges of larceny, possession of stolen goods and cruelty to animals. (Harnett County Sheriff's Office)

Harnett County, N.C.

A FedEx driver in North Carolina is accused of stealing a French bulldog that ultimately died inside his hot delivery truck.

According to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a stolen bulldog from a neighborhood near U.S. Highway 421 on July 7.

Investigators said they found that a FedEx driver who was in the area delivering packages was the one who stole the dog on July 3.

The dog’s owner reportedly shared on social media that the door to her home was mistakenly left open that day, allowing Tori to escape.

Tori was found dead on July 10 in the Lillington area.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators believe the animal died due to heat-related issues as she traveled inside the FedEx truck when temperatures were in the 90s.

Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats said the FedEx driver, later identified as 44-year-old Kimani Joehon Marshall, turned himself in on Monday after an arrest warrant was issued.

Marshall is due in court this week on charges that include larceny of a dog, possession of stolen goods and cruelty to animals.

FedEx said in a statement that Marshall no longer works for the company.

Tori was reportedly worth more than $5,000.