Jake Offenhartz, Author at The Rapid City Post

Yasin El Sammak is interviewed outside the New York City Police Department's 17th Precinct, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Pro-Palestinian protesters say they were attacked by Egyptian officials. Now they’re facing charges

August 28, 2025

Two brothers protesting outside an Egyptian diplomatic building in Manhattan last week were dragged inside the building by Egyptian officials and beaten with a metal chain, video shows. New York City police then arrested the brothers on felony assault charges, despite witness testimony and video contradicting Egyptian officials’ claims. The episode comes amid tensions over demonstrations at Egyptian diplomatic sites worldwide, as protesters call for the country to do more to aid residents of Gaza suffering from starvation. A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney says the investigation is ongoing. Egypt’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations did not respond to an inquiry.

FILE - Mohamed Bahi, New York City Mayor's liaison to the Muslim community exits Manhattan Federal Court, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

Former aide to Eric Adams pleads guilty to soliciting straw donations for mayor’s campaign

August 12, 2025

A former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Mohamed Bahi admitted in federal court to soliciting illegal straw donations for Adams’ 2021 campaign from employees of a Brooklyn construction company. He acknowledged knowing the donations would be reimbursed and that it was wrong. Bahi was originally charged in October with witness tampering and destroying evidence, one month after Adams was indicted for accepting bribes and campaign contributions from foreign interests. The Justice Department later dropped charges against Adams, arguing the case had interfered with the mayor’s cooperation in the Trump administration’s agenda. Bahi will be sentenced on Nov. 17.

New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Andrew Cuomo swipes at Zohran Mamdani over a classic New York topic: rent

August 12, 2025

As he seeks to boost his campaign for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo is proposing an overhaul to New York City’s rent laws and escalating his attacks on the frontrunner, Zohran Mamdani. In recent days, Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, has urged his opponent to move out “immediately” from his rent stabilized apartment, accusing him of taking housing from those less fortunate. On Monday, the former governor released a proposal that would limit income for those in rent regulated units. That plan has drawn skepticism from some housing experts. A spokesperson for Mamdani accused Cuomo of being out of touch with the needs of middle class New Yorkers.

A Columbia genocide scholar says she may leave over university’s new definition of antisemitism

July 24, 2025

Academics around the country are raising alarm about growing efforts to define antisemitism on terms pushed by the Trump administration. One of them, Columbia University genocide scholar Marianne Hirsch, is reconsidering her teaching role. The university recently adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. It casts certain criticism of Israel as antisemitic. Hirsch says the university’s decision will stifle open inquiry. Supporters say it combats Jewish hate, but critics warn it suppresses pro-Palestinian speech. Kenneth Stern, who helped draft the definition, opposes its use as a hate speech code. He fears that will harm academic freedom and lead to more lawsuits.

FILE - Students sit on the front steps of Low Memorial Library on the Columbia University campus in New York City, Feb. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Columbia University student data stolen by politically motivated hacker, university says

July 2, 2025

A politically motivated hacker breached Columbia University’s data systems last week, stealing student records and causing widespread disruptions. The June 24 cyberattack shut down campus networks for several hours. On the same day, images of President Donald Trump appeared on campus monitors, though officials have not confirmed a connection to the data breach. Columbia said a so-called “hacktivist” had gained access to private student data but declined to elaborate on the political motivations. The university is currently negotiating with the Trump administration over its threat to pull $400 million in federal funding over claims the school failed to protect Jewish students.

FILE - Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is seen at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Mahmoud Khalil requests transfer from Louisiana jail after judge blocks his release

June 16, 2025

Attorneys for the Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil have asked a federal judge to immediately release him on bail, or else transfer him to New Jersey, where he can be closer to his wife and newborn son. The filing comes days after a federal judge ruled that the government can continue to detain the legal U.S. resident based on allegations that he lied on his green card application. Khalil disputes the accusations that he wasn’t forthcoming on the application. The judge previously determined that Khalil couldn’t continue being held based on the U.S. secretary of state’s determination that he could harm American foreign policy.

William Duplessie, right, is escorted out of the New York Police 13th Precinct after turning himself in on charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A second crypto investor is charged with kidnapping and torturing a man in a posh NYC townhouse

May 27, 2025

A second cryptocurrency investor has surrendered to police in the alleged kidnapping and torture of a man inside an upscale Manhattan townhouse. Authorities say the victim was beaten and held for weeks by captors seeking access to his Bitcoin password. Police say 32-year-old William Duplessie will face charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment. Another crypto investor, John Woeltz, was arrested Friday. Hours earlier, the victim fled the lavish townhouse, bloodied and barefoot. He told prosecutors his captors beat him, plied him with drugs and dangled him off a staircase, demanding access to his crypto. It wasn’t immediately clear if Duplessie had an attorney who could speak for him. Woeltz’s attorney declined to comment.

Jake Offenhartz.